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Srfiirmrb (Eljurrlj in Amrrira

ORGANIZED ir.GO

HtBtnnral i^krlrh

BY THE

REV. EDGAR TILTON, JR., D. D.

MINISTER OF THE HARI^EM CHURCH SINCE 1898

PUBUSHED BY THI- CONSISTORY

1910

V THE NEW YORK

i>r,Ri,lC LIBRARY

. FeUMDATIOMS.

i9n L

Press of

Montross & Clarke Co.

14 Maiden Lane

New York

PREFACE

It has been a pleasure to collect the facts that arc
recorded m this little volume, although many (lillicul-
ties have been experienced in its preparation through
the incompleteness of the church records, especial I \
those of very early years. JNIany of these records were
lost during the Revolutionary war which, of coiirsi'.
could not be replaced. There aj^pear to he othrr
omissions in the minute books which are due cithci- to
the ravages of time or the carelessness of man. How-
ever, through the examination of contemporaiu oiis
writings and with the assistance of personal friends who
have furnished material in their possession, otherwise
unobtainable, it has been possible to ])reiKii'c a historical
sketch, which, it is hoped, will be regarded as a worihx
chronicle of our Harlem Churcli.

Especial acknowledgment is due tlie Kcv. I\(l\\;ir<l
Tanjore Corwin, D.D., who has sui)])lie(l th<' writer
with many facts and whose suggestions lui\e hccn of
great assistance; and Mr. Peter Strykcr (icttcll. the
present treasurer of our churcli, whose fannli:iiil\ with
old Harlem records has enabled tlie writer to em|)hasizc
certain features that are of considera])le int( i< st. I'lce
use has been made of Riker's History of Harlem, (or-
win's Manual of the Reformed Church in America, and
various pamphlets pubhshed by Historical Societies.

THE COXSISTORY.

The Minister:
Rev. Edgar Tilton, Jr., D.D.

The Elders:
James D. Shipman
Edgar Vaxderbilt
Eugene S. Hand
William T. Demarest
David Henry

The Deacons:
George Warren Dunn
William G. Gaston
William C. Hands, ^I. D.
A. D. Rockwell, Jr.
Henry C. ISIenkel

Treasurer:
Peter S. Gettell

THE CHURCH BUILDINGS.

LENOX AVENUE, ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-THIRD STREET
THIRD avenue, ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIRST STREKT

Ministers of the Harlem Church:

Martinus Schoonmaker .
John Frelinghuysen Jackson
Jeremiah Romeyn
Cornelius C. Vermeule .
Richard Ludloav Schoonmaker
Jeremiah Skidmore Lord
Giles Henry Mandeville
George Hutchinson Smyth .
Joachim Elmendore ...
William Justin Harsha

Edgar Tilton, Jr

Benjamin E. Dickhaut .

1765-
1791-
1806-
1816-
1838-
1848-
1869-
1881-
1886-
1892-
1898-
1903-

1785
1805
1813
1836
1847
1869
1881
1891
1 908
1899

1909

Officers in the Harlem Church who served as Elders
or Deacons before the War of the Revolution.

Johannes Benson

Samson Benson

John Bogert

Daniel van Brevoort

J. Hendricks van Brevoort

Isaac Delamater

John Kiersen

Cornelis Jansen Kortright

Glaude Le Maistre

Adolph Meyer

Adolph Meyer, 3rd

Jan La Montagne, Jr.

John Nagel ^

JOOST VAN ObLIENUS

Peter van Oblienus
Jan Pieterson Slot
Daniel Tourneur
Daniel Tourneur, Jr.
Jacques Tourneur
Johannes Vermilye
Johannes Verveelen
Resolved Waldron </
William Waldron

Officers in the Harlem Church who served in tlie Con-
sistory between 1789 and 1910.

Henry Ackerman
John Ackerman
RicHAuu Ackerman
Thomas Ackerman
John Adriance
Charles H. Ammerman
Samuel Ayres
Lewis T. Balloni
Louis J. Balloni
Daniel D. Beekman
Samson A. Benson
Samson Benson, Jr.
Benjamin Benson
Dr. Samuel Bradhurst
Richard Brixkerhoff
Thomas S. Brooks
Joseph T. Brown
John H. Browning
Robert R. Christie
James W. Colwell
James Crawford
A. B. Demarest
Wm. T. Demarest
Peter H. Diamond
Frank A. Ferris
Theodore Fitch

James Abbott
Richard Ackerman
John S. Adriance
John H. Allen
John S. Allen
Theo. B. Barringer
Abraham W. Bedell

Elders:

John C. Giffing
Eugene S. Hand
David Henry
William Henry
Nicholas D. Hurdkk
Styles G. Hyatt
Robert S. ALvcKeox
James ^L\nchester
Chas. E. Mai'es
Leornorius Milton Maush
Albert S. Moore
Chas. Mott
.Toseph Mott
Wm. p. Parr
Henry Patterson
Robert J. Post
Wheeler Powell
Henry C. Robinson
.Ias. B. Sheridan
J AS. D. Shipman
Benjamin B. Stewakt
Alonzo Stryker
Wm. p. Uhler
Edgar Vanderiiii.t
David Waldron
James Wood

Deacons:

Daniel D. Beekman
Marius (;. Balloni
Robert 1'. Bogahdis
James Bogart. Jh.
Thomas Brass
Geo. W. Brettkil
Joseph T. Brown

Deacons : ( ConUn ucd)

John H. Carpenter
Dr. Colby
James W. Colwell
George W. Cross
Cornelius A. Demarest
W. C. Demarest
Peter Denison
George W. Dunn
William B. Erskine
Harry F. Farrington
John R. Farrington
Francis W. Ford
Thos. C. Freeborn
Henry C. Fuller
Wm. G. Gaston
John C. Giffing
John B. Graves
Samuel S. Hadden
Eugene S. Hand
Dr. Wm. C. Hands
Thomas Hanson
Jacques D. Hegeman
William Henderson
Joseph Hill
N. B. K. Hoffman
Samuel E. Holmes
Styles G. Hyatt
Joseph Ireland
Robert A. Johnston
Lyman N. Jones
Wm. E. Knox
R. H. Lawder
Dr. John D. McPherson
Robert S. McKeon
James Manchester
Chas. a. Mapes
Henry C. Menkel
Albert S. Moore

Henry S. Moore
Chas. Mott
Isaac S. Mowbray
John D. Mowris
Eugene S. ]\Iyer
3 \^. Nicholson
Thomas Patton
Chas. A. Peck
Robert J. Post
Wheeler Powell
Jesse W. Powers
Lorenzo Randall
Chas. H. Randell
John Redfield
A. D. Rockwell, Jr.
John T. Rollins
Charles Ruston
James R. Senior
Wm. S. Skinner
Geo. W. Smith
James Sproul
Jas. a. Sproull
Wm. H. Stillwell
Alonzo Stryker
James Striker
Henry W. Taylor
Frank E. Thompson
Andrew D. Tully
Harris H. Uhler
Wm. p. Uhler
Abram B. Van Dusen
Wm. E. Wall
Chas. H. Wessels
David Wood
Frederick AV. Wood
James Wood
Robert J. Wright

AN ANCIENT FOLK-SONG OF
THE NETHERLANDS

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing,

He chastens and hastens His will to make known ;

The wicked oppressing cease them from distressing.
Sing praises to His name, He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His Kingdom divine.

So from the beginning the fight we were wiiuiiiig;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side, — the glory be tliiiu-.

We all do extol thee, thou Leader in battle.

And pray that thou still our Defender wilt he,

Let thy congregation escape tribulation;

Thy name be ever prais'd! — O Lord make u> fnc!

CHAPTER I.

The Reformed Low Dutch Church of Harlem is
the corporate title of what is known to-day as tlic Har-
lem Collegiate Reformed Church. It has two houses of
worship; one located just west of Third avenue on Onc-
twenty-first street, known as the First Church, and tlie
other at the corner of Lenox avenue and One-twenty-
third street, known as the Lenox avenue Church. It is
one of the oldest organizations in denominational com-
munion with the Reformed Church in xVmerica, 1ki\ ing
come into existence as early as the year KJOO. Its pits-
ent membership roll numbers twelve-hundred.

The parent church in this country is tlie Reformed
Protestant Dutch Church of the city of New York,
better known as the Collegiate Church of \e\v ^'ork.
July, 1628, is named as the date of its organization,
although for several years before that (hite it bad its
place of worship and conducted regular services. Tliis
place of worship was a loft above the first horse mill
erected on Manhattan Island. A wooden building close
by the East river was constructed in 1G3;3, and in l»'i-
the historic stone "Church in the Fort."

As the Reformed Church in America owes its ex-
istence to the Reformed Church in the Xetlurlands it
will not be out of place here to recall certain conditions
existing in the Netherlands at the time of the Kefornia-
tion, and some of the circumstances which contril)utcd
to the settlement of :Manhattan Island.

There were seventeen provinces in the Netherlands
and these comprehended the present kingdoms of Hol-
land and Belgium. That whole country had been an-
nexed to France in the time of Charlemagne (767-814),
but in the fifteenth century it camcy through inter-
marriages, under the dominion of Spain. Charles V.
became king of Spain in 1516, just one year before the
appearance in Germany of Martin Luther as a reformer.
It should be remembered that at this time the Nether-
lands had the finest cities of Europe, such as Amsterdam,
Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, and the population con
sisted of several millions who were exceedingly
prosperous.

Finding many adherents to the Reformed faith, and
converts to that faith multiplying rapidly, Charles V.
determined to crush out Protestantism. It was, there-
fore, at this period that there began in the Netherlands
a series of persecutions which continued for fifty years,
and which nearly ruined the country. Grotius tells us
that 100,000 persons were martyred under Charles V.
But the persecutions under Philip, who succeeded his
father, Charles, in 1555, were even more severe. He
called from Spain an army of 20,000 men, and ap-
pointed as commander, the merciless Duke of Alva, at
whose instigation the most horrible atrocities were com-
mitted. However, the Reformed movement spread
rapidly; there was an enthusiasm for martyrdom and
many went to the stake singing psalms of praise in
which the multitude joined.

Not until 1568, when William of Nassau, Prince of
Orange, came to the rescue, did there appear the faint-
est ray of hope for this persecuted people. Under his
wise generalship they succeeded in driving back the
Spaniards, and after the siege of Haarlem (1573) where

the Duke of Alva lost 12,000 of his soldiers, and the
siege of Leyden (1574) where for five months tlie
people held the city against the attacks of the
enemy, it became evident that the crisis had passed and
that the period of persecution would soon be at an end.
There followed in 1576 the Pacification of Ghent, and
.in 1579 was signed the union of utrecht. This
Union was formed by the seven northern provinces, the
southern provinces having withdrawn through the dom-
ination of Roman Catholic influences. Thus came
into existence the Dutch Republic, which then adopted
as its watchword, Een-dracht maakt macht — "Union
makes might." In 1581, the people threw off the
yoke of the tyrant and ceased to be a dependency of
Spain. Religious liberty was proclaimed and the Re-
formed doctrines as held by the Swiss, and the Presby-
terian form of government were adopted by the Hol-
land Church.

The extraordinary endurance and courage of tliis
people may be seen in a simple reference to the siege of
Leyden. From the walls of the city they cafled to tlic
enemy: "You found all your arguments on tlic misery
and famine that threatens us ; you say that we are eaters
of dogs and cats; know that when tliis food shall fail us,
we have each a left arm which we will eat while wv \n'c-
serve our right to drive the tyrant and his bloodthirsty
bands from our walls; and if God shall, as uc have
justly merited, deliver us into your hands, we will, oin--
selves, set fire to our city rather than become >nur
slaves." It is said that more martyrs perished in that
land of dykes than in three centuries of persecution by
the great Roman Empire.

Doctor Corwin, in his Manual of the Tk'formed
Church in America, thus speaks of tlie new He public:

"The wonders of her career cannot here be described.
Her constitution ; her wars ; her diplomacy ; her univers-
ities; scholars and divines; her power on the sea; her
great commercial companies; her colonies in Asia, Af-
rica and America; her riches; her toleration of all sects;,
her welcome to the Pilgrims and other dissenters from
the British Isles. The war, of course, went on, with
periods of truce; but it was not until 1648, at the Peace
of Westphalia, after an eighty years' war, that the po-
litical rights of all the Reformed princes and churches of
the continent were secured by treaty; and this treaty
became the basis of the positive law of all Europe.
From this epoch date regular international relations,
through continuous diplomatic agents, among all Chris-
tian nations."

When one considers the heroic leadership of
William, Prince of Orange, and how, under him Hol-
land gained her freedom, it is not surprising that when
the Dutch church in America desired an emblem which
should be both commemorative and representative they
should adopt the coat-of-arms of one who had defended
and delivered the country and church of their fore-
fathers.

This emblem which is now in general use through-
out the church and which appears as the frontispiece
of this volume is an adaptation of the coat-of-arms of
William. The coat-of-arms represents the principal-
ities of which William was ruler, or to which he was in
some way related.

The first quarter of the large shield bears the arms
of Nassau. It has a gold lion, rampant, on a blue field
surrounded by seventeen gold billets, representing the
union of the ten states of the Netherlands, with the

seven States of Holland under William. The second
quarter represents Katzenelnbogen and has a red lion,
rampant gardant, crowned on a gold field. The third
quarter represents Vianden, and has a red field banded
with silver. The fourth quarter has two gold lions,
passant gardant, on a red field, and is the shield of
Dietz.

The SJ?iall shield is also quartered. The first and
fourth quarters bearing diagonal bands of gold on a
red field represent the princij^alities of Chalons. The
second and third quarters, with a horn or bugle sus-
pended on a gold field, that of Orange. These martial
horns symbolize the courageous leadership of those wlio
took up arms against the Moors and Saracens.

The smallest shield is that of Jane of Geneva, wlio
married one of the Princes of Orange. It is divided
into nine squares, five of which have gold, and four blue
fields.

The crown which surmounts the shield represents
the Emperor Charles the Great, who, while Sovereign
. of the Netherlands, granted them the right of carrying
the imperial crown above the Coat-of-Arms.

To adapt this coat-of-arms for use as a church enil)-
lem, the pillars and stars were added, as were tlie
mottoes, Nisi Dominus Frustra — "Without the J.oid
all is vain," and Een-dracht viaakt viacht—''Vmnn
makes might." The one taken from Psalm 127:1
fitly expresses hope in God; and the otlier was the
watchword of the Dutch in their long struggle for lujnie
and church.

At the time Manhattan Island was discovered
(1609) by Hendrick Hudson, IloUand was a free asy-
lum for the persecuted of all lands. When, therefore.

a few years later (1623) through the organization in
Holland of the West India Company, the chief objects
of which were the development of trade with America
and colonization in general, the Dutch people began to
emigrate here, they did so for commercial reasons and
not, as did the Puritans, for the purpose of seeking
refuge from oppression.

Among these early colonists were the *Walloons
who had been driven to Holland from the southern
provinces of Belgium by persecution. They were a
hardy race, strong in intellect, industrious, hospitable,
and in their religious life enthusiastic and devout. They,
like the Dutch, were people well fitted to endure the
hardships and disappointments of that early colonial
period. Likewise the Huguenots of France, trained in
the school of persecution, who were also among the
early settlers on Manhattan Island.

These people brought their religion with them and
when on April 7th, 1628, Jonas Michaelius, the first
Dutch minister in America, arrived at New Amster-
dam, a Church numbering fifty communicants, Dutch,
and Walloons, was immediately formed. Michaelius
was succeeded by the Rev. Everardus Bogardus who
arrived in the Spring of 1633 and served the church
until 1647. Johannes Backerus was his successor, but
his term of service lasted only two years. In 1649
Johannes Megapolensis who had labored for six years
at the First Church in Albany was persuaded to assume
charge, and he served the church until his death in 1669.
Megapolensis had as a colleague, after 1652, Samuel

*The word Walloon is a corruption of the word Waalsche;
the Dutch called them "the Waalsche people;" the derivation is
fiom the word Gaul, W being substituted for G, making the word
Waul with the plural Waalen.

Drisius, a very scholarly man who was able to preach
in Dutch, French and English and who remained as
pastor until 1673.

Mention is here made of these men because they
were the first ministers of our parent Church on ^lan-
hattan Island, and the period of their service extended
to the time of the settlement of Harlem and the organi-
zation of the Harlem Church.

The following list is interesting as it shows the suc-
cession of Ministers in the Reformed Protestant Dutch
Church of the City of New York, the oldest Church in
America.

Jonas Michaelius 1628-(1633?)

Everardus Bogardus 1633-1647

Johannes Backerus 1647-1649

Johannes ^legapolensis 1()49-1660

Samuel Drisius 1652-1673

Samuel Megapolensis 1664-1668

Wilhelmus Van Niewenhuysen . 1671-1682

Henricus Selyns 1682-1701

Gaulterus Du Bois 1699-1751

Henricus Boel 1713-1754

Joannes Ritzema 1744-1784

Lambertus De Ronde 1751-1784

Archibald Laidlie 1764-1779

John Henry Livingston 1770-1812

Wilham Linn 1785-1805

Gerardus Arense Kuypers 1789-1833

John Neilson Abeel 1795-1812

John Schureman 1809-1812

Jacob Brodhead 1809-1813

Philip Milledoler 1813-1825

John Knox 1816-1858

Paschal Nelson Strong 1816-1825

William Craig Brownlee 1826-1860

Thomas De Witt 1827-1874

Thomas Edward Vermilye 1839-1893

Talbot Wilson Chambers 1849-1896

Joseph Tnthill Duryea 1862-1867

James Meeker Ludlow 1868-1877

William Ormiston 1870-1888

Edward Benton Coe 1879-

David James Burrell 1891- . . . .

Donald Sage Mackay 1899-1908

Henry Evertson Cobb 1903- . . . .

Jolin Gerardiis Fagg 1903- . . . .

Malcolm J. MacLeod 1910-....

At the present time the Church maintains nine
places of worship as follows:
JSIiddle Church, Second Avenue and 7th Street.
INIarble Church, Fifth Avenue and 29th Street.
Church of St. Nicholas, Fifth Avenue and 48th Street.
West End Church, West End Avenue and 77th Street.

Fort Washington Church, Fort Washington Avenue

and 181st Street.
North Church Chapel, 113 Fulton Street (Fulton

Street Prayer Meeting) .
Thirty-fourth Street Reformed Church, 307 West 34th

Street.
Knox ]Memorial Chapel, 405-409 West 41st Street.
Vermilye Chapel, 416 West 54th Street.

CHAPTER II.

The earliest known description of ^Manhattan Is-
land is that by Isaac De Rasieres who came to Xew
Amsterdam in 1626, serving two years as Chief Commis-
sary and Secretary here. He refers to it as "full of
trees and in the middle rocky, the north end having
good land in two places, where two farmers, each with
two horses would at first have enough to do without
much clearing."

In the year 1658 the Director-General and Council
of New Xetherland decided to cultivate the northern
section of ^Manhattan Island. There had been settle-
ments throufyhout that district verv earlv, but these had
all been destroyed by the Indians, the people who had
not escaped to the southern part of the Island had been
slaughtered, and there seemed to be no hope of establish-
ing a permanent settlement except through the direct
aid of the government.

Accordingly, notice was given that for the further
promotion of agriculture, for the security of the Island
and the cattle pasturing thereon, as well as for the
further relief and expansion of Amsterdam in New
Netherland, it had been resolved to form a new village
or settlement at that end of the Island; and in order
that the lovers of agriculture might be encouraged, the
proposed new village would be favored by the Director-
General and Council with certain privileges.

Each settler was to receive 36 to 48 acres of arable
land, and 12 to 16 acres of meadow land; to be protected
by the Director-General, and when there were twenty
to twenty-five families located there to have a court and
to be accommodated with a "good, pious, orthodox min-
ister, toward whose maintenance the Director- General
and Council promised to pay half the salary, the other
half to be supplied by the inhabitants in the best and
easiest manner, with the advice of the magistrates of
the aforesaid village, at the most convenient time."

It will thus be seen that in those days the religious
needs of a community were early provided for. The
people felt the need of church privileges for they had
enjoyed them in Holland, and now far away from the
fatherland, more than ever they could appreciate the
value of God's word and the ordinances of His church.
They communicated their need and desire to Governor
Peter Stuyvesant who, in a letter dated October 6th,
1660, brought the request to the notice of the Directors
in Holland.

About this time, however, a young man who had
labored as a licentiate in the Dutch Island of Curacoa
in the West Indies, Michael Zyperus, by name, arrived
in New Amsterdam and was instrumental in organizing
a church at Harlem. Although he served the church
for about three years, preaching and teaching, he was
never installed as pastor, for he had not been ordained
and could not administer the sacraments. He was a
valuable man in the community, serving it in many ways
outside of his special sphere of duty, and commanded
the respect of all the people. He removed to Brooklyn
in 1663, but later, having affiliated with the English
church, he went with his family to Virginia, where he

preached many years in Xorth River Precinct, now
Kingston parish, in JMathews County.

Riker in his History of Harlem gives the follow-
ing account of Zyperus and his family:

"Dominie Zyperus's wife was the daughter of Claes
Duurkoop ; her brother Jan Duurkoop, and sister, Jan-
netie wife of Hendrick Jansen Been, were living at
Brooklyn in 1662, whence probably on their account
Mrs, Zyperus took her church letter, ^Nlarch 25th, 1663.
With the departure of herself and husband soon after,
disappeared all her kindred above named. While here
Dominie Zyperus had two children baptised, viz., Cor-
nelius, December 21st, 1659 and Hillegond, August
14th, 1661 ; the last named for ^Irs. Cornelius Van Ruy-
ven. He is noticed as rector of Kingston Parish in a
hst of the Virginia clergy, dated June 30th, 1680. But
this is verified bv his old Vestry Book, now in the cus-
tody of the Episcopal Theological Seminary near Alex-
andria, Virginia: extracts from which were kindly fur-
nished me by the late principal Rev. William Sparrow,
D.D., since deceased, and containing all additional that I
know of Zyperus in Virginia. The record begins only
with November 15th, 1679, but the last mention of him
is as follows and is suggestive:

" 'The 27th of June, 1687. The day above said Mr.
Mychaell Zyperus, Minister, did promise to give fitt
and convenient Glasses for ye Window at ye Gable
End of ye New Chappel to be built for ye North River
precinct. In witness whereof he hath hereunto sett his
hand. M. Zyperus.'

"Interesting- thus to take leave of him actively at
work rearing the walls of Zion, in that field which he
had chosen, and where he probably ended his labors. I

strongly suspect that Dominie Zyperus' descendants
compose the respectable family of Syper of Penns}^-
vania, whose early Michaels — a fact, with others made
known to me by Mr. J. R. Syper, of Philadelphia —
seem to favor it."

We do not find many records of the clun-ch for
this early period. That it was patterned after the Re-
formed Church of the Netherlands and was to be under
the care of the Consistory at New Amsterdam, we are
assured by contemporaneous records; and that the date
of the organization is 1660 we know, for we have a
record of the expiration of the term of office of the first
deacon, Jan La Montagne, Jr. His term of office ex-
pired November 30, 1662, which he must have held for
two years in accordance with the custom of the Dutch
Church. The Harlem Church began, therefore, in 1660,
the earliest date consistent with the existence of a
Church here.

JNIontagne was succeeded in 1662 by Daniel Tour-
neur. After some years another deacon was added, and
then there followed a regular succession of these officers.
They were entrusted with the financial and benevolent
work of the Church. Their obligations were met by the
Sunday collections, rent from the Church lands and
burial fees, fines levied in the town court for the bene-
fit of the poor, and small legacies of from ten to fifty
guilders.

The informal and incomplete organization of the
Harlem Church is shown by records prior to 1664, re-
ferring to the transfer of the names of a number of
Harlem residents to the register of the Church at Fort
Amsterdam. These persons had been formerly received
into Dominie Selyns' congregation at the Bouwery.
Their names are as follows :

Jan La Montague, Jr., and ^laria Vernieillc. his

wife.
Daniel Tourneur and Jacqnline Parsis, his wife.
Johanes Verveelen and Anna Jaersvelt, liis wife.
Joost Van Obhnus, Sr., and ^lartina Westin, liis

wife.
Joost Van Oblinus, Jr., and ^laria Sanmiis, his

wife.
Glaude le ]Maistre and Hester du Eois, liis wife.
Pierre Cresson and Raehel Cloos, his wife.
Jacques Cresson and JMaria Renard, his wife.
Jean le Roy.

Isaac Vermeille and Jacomina Jacobs, his wife.
Resolved Waldron and Tanneke Xagel, his wiff.
Pieter Jansen Slot and Marritie Van Winckcl, his

wife.
Of former residents or landowr.ers the roHowing

had been church members.
De Meyer, though a non-resident, being still a pro-
prietor.
Nicholas de Clever and Lvdia Van Dvck, liis wife.
Hendrick F. Vander Vin and Wyiitie, his wife.
Jacues Cousseau and ]\Iadeline du Tulherc, liis

wife.
Philip easier and Marie Taine, liis wife.
Willem de la Montague.
Anna Verveelen.
Arent Jansen ^loesman.
Juriaen Hanel.

From the list above it will be seen that tlu- (-(.ni-
munity of Harlem must have been made iij) niainly n\'
Hollaiiders and French Huguenots; and names tli;it
should be mentioned hi addition to the foregoing as

among the early settlers are those of Brevoort, Bogert,
Kortright, Demarest, Bussing, Delamater and Disos-
way, some of which are still prominent in this city.

It is claimed that in the original settlement of Har-
lem all of the United Provinces of the Netherlands were
represented, though the settlers from these provinces
came chiefly from cities or villages near the North Sea
and Zuyder Zee. This original settlement of Harlem
comprised that district east and south of our Mt. Mor-
ris Park, the village green lying along the water front
in the present Pleasant Avenue section.

During the first five years of the Church's existence,
the struggle with poverty made it impossible to provide
any better sanctuary than a private house or outbuild-
ing. Indeed after the departure of Zyperus, the people
found it exceedingly difficult to maintain regular Sab-
bath services. It was very evident that the community
could not sujiport a regular minister, hence at a meeting
on December 4th, 1663, it was decided to secure if pos-
sible, a voorleser.

This office, though akin to that of precentor or chor-
ister in the Romish cathedral service and the Scotch
Kirk, was in its range of duties quite j^eculiar to the Re-
formed Dutch Church. Its incumbent must needs be a
person not only of suitable gifts and culture, but of ex-
emplary life and approved piety. Standing before the
pulpit he read the Scriptures at the opening of public
worship, whence came his title, Voorleser, or forereader.
He led the congregation in singing David's Psalms in
metre, lining off the verses one by one, as they pro-
ceeded, with melodies long drawn out but stately and
solemn. In the absence of a preacher his duties were
augmented. He then read a sermon from the works
of some orthodox Dutch divine, and in a word con-

,e-p

DIAGRAM SHOWING
OI,D CHURCH SITES

ducted the entire service so far as it belonged to a
layman to do. He visited and administered comfort
to the sick, and those nigh to death and when desired
performed the burial service. He instructed the
children in the Heidell)erg Catechism, filled tlie
office of schoolmaster, and in addition kept the re-
cords and accounts of the church and town. In fact ex-
cept the administration of the sacraments and the or-
dination and installation of Elders and Deacons, he per-
formed all the functions of pastor, besides those of chor-
ister, schoolmaster and secretary. To these were usu-
ally added the duties of public auctioneer.

The petition to Governor Stuyvesant whieli re-
sulted in Montague's appointment as Voorleser.

To the Xoble, Very Worshipful, their Honors and

the Director-General and Council of Xew Xetlicr-
lands : —

Gentlemen: Your Noble Worships' petitioners, res-
idents of New Harlem, show with due reverence and
submission, that by their saving faith, obtained tlii'oiiuli
hearing the Gospel preached and taught, they too. (iiid
themselves, for the sake of their salvation compelled,
conscientiously to promote with increased diligence and
zeal, whatever your Noble Worships' ])etiti()ners -.iimI
Commissaries of this village have determined u|)()n and
undertaken for the maintaining of jjublie woi-shij) and
the outward means of grace, to the magnifying of (iod's
name and the observance of His day of holy rest, and the
upbuilding of the Body of Jesus Christ. 15ut having seen
from Sabbath to Sabbath the small and insignificant suc-
cess of the jJublic gatherings, and believing confidently
that every thing relating to public worshij) may be

brought to better train and all be more properly ordered
bv the services of a salaried Voorleser and Schoolmaster,
to read God's word and edifying sermons, keep school,
catechise and visit the sick, your Noble Worships' peti-
tioners, appointed to attend to the public welfare and
advantage of the said village, thought it proper, very
timely and only their duty, to speak to the community
about this matter, that they persuade Jean De La Mon-
tagne, a resident of the said place, to undertake such
services provisionally for the least possible salary, and
then present themselves before your Noble Worships
as patrons of the Church of Jesus Christ with this hum-
ble and Christian petition, that your Noble Worshij)s
may please to consent both to the office and person be-
fore named, for the benefit of God's church and not less
necessary teaching of the children. But perceiving their
great inability and incapacity to give in the aforesaid
case a full and proper salary, and not having been able
to collect for his support more than 24 schepels of grain,
they respectfully request your Noble Worships that in
their usual noble discretion your Noble Worships con-
tribute something toward a decent salary and the greater
encouragement of your Noble Worships' very humble
petitioners and God's subjects.

Your Noble Worships' most dutiful petitioners and
humble subjects. Done New Harlem.

Dec. 25th, 1663.

d. tourneur,

Johannes Verveelen,

I. P., Mark of Jan Pietersen.

To this. Governor Stuyvesant sent the following re-
ply, dated January 10th, 1664.

"Received and read the foregoing recjuest of tlie
Commissaries of New Harlem and therewith heard the
vei-bal statement of Sieur Johannes Verveelen, at pres-
ent commissary there, that it is highly necessary that a
person be appointed there as Vooiieser and Schoolmas-
ter; therefore the Director-General and Council acce])t
and appoint thereto the proposed person, Johannes La
Montagne, Junior; and in order that he may attend to
these offices with greater diligence, to him shall be ])aid
annually on account of the Company the sum of //////
guilders, according to the state of the treasury."

For about a century did the people of Harlem wor-
ship without any regularly installed minister to lead
them, dependent upon the Voorlesers for the conduct of
their services, and upon the parent church in the southern
part of Manhattan Island who occasionally sent her
ministers to Harlem for the purpose of ordaining and
installing Elders and Deacons, and of administering the
sacraments.

The names of these Voorlesers are as follows:

Michael Zyperus 1660-1663

Arent Evertsen Keteltas 1663-1664

Jean La Montagne 1664-1670

Hendrick Jansen Van der Vin 1670-1684

Jan Tibout 1684-1690

Guilliam Bertholf 1690-1601

Jan Tibout 1691-1699

Adrian Vermeule 1699-1708

Henricus Beys (Episcopalian) . . . .1710-1712
Johannes Van Harlingen 1722-1741

Mr. James Riker in his history of Harlem has given
an excellent pen picture of home-life and social condi-

tions during this period. It contains so many interest-
ing features that it is here reproduced.

The inhabitants in their ways and mode of hving,
preserved all the characteristics of the Fatherland. Wed-
ded to their plain and primitive habits, the portrait of
our early Dutch yeomanry, as others have drawn it, is
here true to life, with but slight retouching.

The village seats or scattered farm houses: let us
enter one, bidden welcome by mine host, smoking his
evening pipe in his wonted seat on the porch. An air of
hospitality have the premises, even to the old well with
water trough beside it, which, placed conveniently before
the house, with mossy bucket hung from the primitive
well pole, invites the gentle kine to come freely to water,
or the wayfarer to stop and slake his thirst. These
houses have begun to be constructed with greater regard
to permanence, and even to style, being solidly built of
stone, and of more ample dimensions than formerly
though only of one full story. The low ceiling, still void
of lath and plaster, expose the heavy oak beams as
roughly hewn, or if taste has dictated, planed and
beaded. Similar taste sometimes demands wainscoting,
either plain or in panels, around the rooms and halls, and
up the broad stairway, with its oaken balustrade, lead-
ing to sleeping chambers in the loft. Outer doors, swung
upon heavy strap hinges, are invariably divided in halves
horizontally, the upper one usually open by day in the
warm season, for the admission of air and light. Above
it perhaps is a sash with three or four small panes of
thick green glass, blown with a curious knob or swell in
the centre. The panes in the windows measure not over
seven bv nine inches, and are sometimes set in leaden
cross bars, being protected by strong, close shutters, in-
stead of the less secure modern blinds. The fireplace,

with usually no jambs (but having supports built in tlic
wall) gives ample room for all around the fire. Tlius
suspended, as it were, over head, the chimney mouth
opens wide and flaring to catch the fugitive sparks and
smoke, and forms a convenient place in which at the
proper season to hang up hams, sausage and beef to cure.
If the fireplace is built with jambs these are often faced
with glazed tiles, imported from Holland, on wliich arc
pictured Bible stories and other scenes. These amuse
and instruct the juvenile 2)art of the family, who make it
a favorite pastime to study out the curious designs. Tiie
last of these ornamental fireplaces now recollected was
in the Peter Benson stone house, which stood in 100th
Street between Second and Third Avenues and was
demolished in 186.5.

Plain and substantial were their dwellings, and in
perfect accord with the manners and tastes of their oc-
cupants, which were simple, unaffected and economical.
Slow and deliberate in what they did it was made uj) by
patience and application. And no people could have
been more independent of the outside world. The
farmer burnt his own lime, tanned his own leather, often
made all the boots and shoes worn by himself and his
family, and did much of his own carpenter and wliecl-
wright work. Their help in the heavy farm work was
mainly African slaves, who, at this time numbered as one
to four whites.

Primitive were their methods of farming; it was
not the era of iron ploughs, horse-rakes and reapers.
The scythe was used in mowing grass, the cradle was
then unknown.

The children were brought up to these habits of in-
dustry which the parents themselves found so profital)le.
The sons were invariably given a useful trade, and the

daughters well taught in all household duties. While
the men were engaged in the out-door work of the farm,
the women, in short gown and slippers, the common in-
door dress, were as busy at their special avocations. The
spinning wheel was brought out and set in motion as
soon as wool and flax could be prepared in the fall, and
so each family made its own "homespun," as it was
termed, both white and colored to supply its members
with clothing, while she was considered but a poor candi-
date for matrimony, who could not show her stores of
domestic linens and other products of her maiden in-
dustry. The dames, so saving were they of their time,
usually took their spinning wheel on going to spend a
social afternoon with a neighbor. Nor were the females
unwilling to help in the field during the busy season of
harvest, or corn-gathering. Side by side, with their
fathers and brothers and husbands, they vied with them
in raking hay or carrying sheaves, and their presence
gave a charm to the merry time of husking.

Broom and scrubbing brush, with a periodical white
washing, frequently tinted yellow or green, kept their
apartments clean and neat. The carpet, when first in-
troduced, called in derision a dirt-cover, was in those
days unknown here. The bare floors, as scrupulously
clean as the bare table on which they ate their meals,
were regularly scrubbed, then sprinkled with a fine
beach sand which was brought to the city by the boat
load, peddled in carts through the streets and roads of
the Island. On cleaning day, it was spread moistened in
little heaps over the floor, the family being taught to
tread carefully between them. To disturb these would
sadly mar the economy of the good housewife, and may-
be provoke some good honest scolding in Dutch. The
next day, the sand now dry was swept in waves, or other

figures, by drawing the broom lightly over it. It was in
truth but a sample of the general tidiness which ruled
the premises.

Living so largely within themselves, they knew
little of the dangers and diseases incident to luxury and
indolence. Their clothing, bedding etc., all of their own
homespun, most that their table required the farm sup-
plied, to which a mess of clams or fish often gave variety ;
but no dish with the Dutch farmer could compete with
his speck en koole, pork and cabbage.

Their pride was of a kind which is no bar to pleasure
if their only coach was a common wagon or perchance
an ox-cart. Home made linsey-woolsey gave content
equally with the finest imported fabrics and, says a con-
temporary, "though their low roofed houses may seem
to shut the door against pride and luxury, yet how do
they stand wide open to let charity in and out, either to
assist each other or to relieve a stranger." Another
bears this testimony: "They are sociable to a degree;
their tables being as free to their neighbors as to tliem-
selves." And hospitality could not do too much for the
guest, if welcome, the acme only reached, if he tarried
for the night, when, soon after sunset, he was snugly
ensconced in the best bed, made of softest down, and be-
tween homespun hnen sheets, from which, if cold, the
chill was taken, by the indispensable warming i)an.

At the same time the idea of warming the church
was yet unfledged, nor was this provided for until early
in the nineteenth century, when a stove was introduced.
Before this each church-going matron took to comfort
her, her little foot stove and her Dutch Bible with silver
clasps. Intermarriage among the resident families was
the rule, and he was thought a bold swain truly who ven-
tured beyond the pale of the community to woo a mate.

And with an unaffected welcome, a keen-eyed scrutiny
also awaited the blushing bride, on her first arrival from
the charming vales of Bloomingdale, the hills of West-
chester, or rural home at Bergen, Hackensack or Eso-
pus.

When friends gathered socially, or happened to
meet, as at the village tavern, conversation, running in
mellifluous Dutch, turned, as usual with farmers, upon
their crops, or on horse, or cattle or modes of farming,
unless some special topic intruded. With the good Juf-
frouws, church matters and the dominie's last visit were
always in order.

Large productive farms and a convenient market
for all they had to sell, led to certain wealth, and no
thriftier farmers were to be found anywhere. They were
proud, too, of their broad acres, fine stock, well tilled
lands and barns well filled ! But not the alluring example
ever before their eyes could win them to the display and
ceremony of city life ; though the latter, simplicity itself
as compared with the demands of modern fashion, sets in
strongest contrast the style of living, so unpretentious
yet so rational, which obtained in even the wealthier fam-
ilies, as the Waldrons, Meyers, Bensons and Bussings.
English modes and manners could make but slow ad-
vance among a people so tenacious of the Holland
tongue who for half a century later kept their records
in Dutch, and their accounts in guilders and stivers.

CHAPTER III.

In the winter of 1665, the congregation began the
erection of a church building under the direction of
Montagne, Tourneur and Johannes Verveelen. The
mechanics named were John Gulick, Neels Watson and
Hendrick Karstens. The structure was very plain, both
inside and out, and was constructed of rough timber. It
was situated on the north side of what was known in
those days as Church Lane (Lover's Lane, the young
people called it) and afterward as Old Harlem Road.
The map shows its location where now is the corner of
First Avenue and 127th Street. A kerck lot of con-
siderable size surrounded the building. Riker rct'ers to
this kerck lot as the land since known as the cliurc-h
farm, but the church records place the farm furtlur
to the south; the church farm was a mucli hirgcr plot
of ground than that directly adjoining tlie first chinrli
site. About a quarter of an acre connected witli tlie
original church afterwards became what was known as
the "Negro Burying Ground."

It required two years to build this cliurch tlie work
being prosecuted as funds were found in the treasury,
and for a number of years it did double duty as a cliurcli
and school house. Indeed, it is said that the buihling
had a convenient loft or second story, from wliich income
was derived by renting it for dwelling purposes.

Montagne's accounts as treasurer show what was
expended for materials, labor, etc. The charges are
given in florins and stivers.

The Worthy Deaconry, Credit: —

1665.
23 Jan. By feast given Stuyvesant by D.
Tourneur, and J. Verveelen and

J. Montague f . 21:19

By a book by J. Montague 7:10

26 5 planks for benches at the church. . . . 7:10

By labor, making the benches 8:0

By one half lb. nails for ditto 12

By to Wessels for bringing the dominie 7 : 0

By to the sexton (Koster) 6:0

By ditto 1:0

20 Dec. By nails for the house on the church lot 15: 0

By nails for the church 49 : 2

By wages for labor at the church 36:13

By a j)iece of gold to the preacher .... 50 : 0

By nails for the church 16: 5

By wages for labor at the church to

Jan Glucke and Nelis 24 : 0

1666.

27 Jan. By ditto to ditto 40 : 0

3 Feb. By to the sexton 6:0

25 Mar. By ditto 6:0

25 Apl. By nails for church 17:18

By planks for the church 90 : 0

By Hendrick Karstens for raising up
the church and making the founda-
tions (stander) 30: 0

By ditto for plastering the same 6:0

1 Dec. By to the sexton 18: 0

1667.

30 Jan. By at allotment of the seats 4:0

By Jan Teunissen for a plank for

church ][ .|0

7 Mar. By to the sexton 6:0

By Nelis for making the table :i. o

By 1 lb. nails 3:0

By 3 planks for the table and benches 4:10

27 By Bart, the mason 40 : 0

Sept. By to the sexton 6 : 0

By 2 schepels rye to sow upon the

church lot 9:0

1668.

Jan. By to the sexton 6:0

By a town book 4:0

By Matys for taking away the Dominic 1 1)
By to the masons and lime by Ver-

veelen 19:0

f. 369: 0
$147.00

This modest building served the community as a
church for twenty years after which its use was devoted
exclusively to school-house purposes.

The following note from the town records shows
how closely the Church was related to the Town in those
early days.

"The year 1678 wore away with no other noticca])le
incident except the usual choice of town officers, and the
visit from Dominie Nieuwenhuysen to install an elder
and a deacon. On the latter occasion Claude Ic Maistrc,
at the expense of the town furimhed a half-vat of good
beer for the entertainment of the dominie and the con-

gregation, and Waldron, Dyckman, Bussing and Obli-
nus, advanced the dominie each three guilders (in all
twelve guilders) for his services, while Jan Nagel pro-
vided the wagon to bring and return his reverence; the
visit costing the town in all, 41 guilders."

It seems that beer was the common beverage in
those days and its presence was deemed indispensable
to the proper transaction of business. The Court magis-
trates always required it while attending to their judi-
cial duties. It was likewise used at the ordination of
elders and deacons, and at funeral solemnities. At such
times, wine and other liquors, with pipes and tobacco,
were also freely distributed. Families commonly laid
in their beer by the quarter and half vat, or barrel. Such
were the social habits and customs prevailing among our
ancestors, all oblivious as to the evils of the indulgence.

The second church edifice (which really should be
called the first, since the former was of such rude con-
struction and served so many purposes that it hardly
deserved the dignified name of a church) was built in
1686. It was situated on the opposite side of the lane and
a little further to the south where now is the corner of
1st Avenue and 125th Street.

It was built of stone, an arrangement being made
with Laurens Jansen and the Delamater family, who
gave up a portion of their land for the purpose, and
which was sufficient to afford ample ground for a new
churchyard or cemetery. The community pledged
themselves liberally, and assumed the labor of preparing
and bringing the stone, lime, timber, shingles, lath etc.,
all of which was to apply on their subscriptions.

OI,D STONE CHURCH ON CHURCH L,ANE, WHRRE NOW IS

FIRST AVENUE AND 12r)TH STREET

ERECTED 1686 DESTROYED DURING REVOLUTIONARY WAR

THE BEl,Iv IS THE ONI,Y REMAINING RELIC

The corner stone was laid with considerable cere-
mony, JNIarch 29th. We are told that the first stone was
put in place by Resolved Waldron, and tlie second bv
Johannes Vermilye. The builder was Wm. Ilellaker,
who is described as a "good mechanic and honest though
a little rough."

Here are the specifications and contract:

Specification of the Church at Harlem: The size of
the church, across it either way, is 36 Dutch feet; uj)()n
which William Hellaker undertakes to construct the
roof, with an arch therein and a small tower u 1)011 it,
and to cover all properly with shingles, and to make a
scuttle thereto; ujion condition that the people of tlie
town shall be obligated to deliver the timber at the build-
ing place. For which the Constable and INIagistrates
promise to pay the aforesaid William Hellaker, the sum
of Seven Hundred and Fifty Guilders in Wlieat, to l)e
delivered at the current price. Thus arranged and
agreed to in the presence of the afternamed witnesses,
and which, with our usual hand, is sul)scril)ed. Done
at New Haerlem, this 30th of JNIarch, 108C.

Witnesses :

Johannes Vermel je,

Resalvert Waldron,^

Willem Hellaker,

Jan De Lameter, Constable,

Daniel Tourneur,

Jan Nagel.

Before me,

Jan Tibout, Clerk.

Voluntary subscription for building the Stone
Church :

Daniel Tourneur f. 100

Jan Dyckman 100

Isaac Delamater 30^"

Cornelis Jansen Kortright 100

Jan Louwe Bogert 100

Jan Hendricks Van Brevoort . . . lOOr

Jan Delamater 75

Barent Waldron 50'^

Laurens Jansen 70

Jacques Tourneur 25

Adolph Meyer 90

Jan Nagel 100

Joost Van Oblinus 100

Arent Harmans Bussing 75

Resolved Waldron 100

Abram Delamontanie 25

Thomas Tourneur 25

Pieter Van Oblienis 50

Johannes Vermalje 50

f. 1365. ($546.)

This amount was not sufficient to defray the entire
expense of the building; special taxes were, therefore,
levied and additional contributions were made. Be-
sides the labor of the people themselves and the ma-
terials they furnished, the church cost them over 2600
guilders, or about $1040. During the first year of its
occupancy, the collections amounted to 171 guilders, 4
stivers, thus averaging 3 guilders 5 stivers or $1.25 each
Sunday.

On the 30th of September, 1686, the first Sermon
was preached and the Lord's Supper administered in
the new church by the Rev. Henry Selyns, minister at
Brooklyn and the Bouwery. The following account of
the last service in the old church and the first in the new
is recorded by Riker in his History of Harlem.

"On Thursday, April loth, the people had gathered
around the Lord's Table for the last time in that humble
but hallowed sanctuary where, through their early
struggles they had sought and found inward strength
and comfort. The collection was large and significant,
being 24 florins. The work upon its successor was
pushed forward rapidly, so that on Thursday, Sep-
tember 30th, Dominie Selyns preached the first sermon
in the new church, and administered the Lord's Supper.
A liberal collection, 22 florins, was taken up. This item
is also recorded, "1686, Septemb. 30th, to bread and
wine, 12 florins and 10 stivers." Before the people
separated they took the opportunity to nominate new
town officers; those appointed being sworn in at New
York, on the 2d of November. They were Jan
Hendricks Van Brevoort, constable, and Jan Dyck-
man, Lawrence Jansen and Isaac Delamater, magis-
trates. On November 4th, the constable and magis-
trates resolved that the churchyard (kerckhof) should
be inclosed with clapboards, within the ensuing two
months."

It is a striking coincidence that the Lenox Avenue
edifice, the last built by the Harlem Church, was dedi-
cated exactly two hundred years after this stone church,
the service being held in the same month and on the
same day of the month, September 30th, 1886.

This substantial building was destroyed during the
Revolutionary War. Only one relic remains; it is the

venerable bell which was cast in Amsterdam, Holland,
expressly for the Harlem Church in the year 1734. It
is said that, among other metals, it contains twenty
dollars worth of gold and twenty dollars worth of
silver. The following inscription may be read on it :
Amsterdain, Anno 1734, Me Fecit.
Inasmuch as there was no use for a belfry on the
church until the year 1734 when the bell arrived from
the Fatherland, it was not added to the tower until that
time.

Owing to the various nationalities of the early settlers,
it was not always easy to maintain the Church in the
unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace. The services
were usually conducted in the Dutch language. Of
course this was not entirely satisfactory to those speaking
the French language, nor indeed to the Lutherans. Some
of the Huguenots were so much discontented that when
the French church in New York obtained a minister
they refused absolutely to support the Dutch Voorleser
at Harlem, and allowed their possessions to be attached
by the magistrate. Among them were two ancestors
of well-known American families: Delamater and
Demarest. The latter with his whole family left the
town and removed to Hackensack.

Governor Cornbury, who was a very strong church-
man, during his administration which extended from
1702 to 1708, attempted to place over the Harlem
church an English Episcopal minister. This caused
considerable opposition. The people persistently
refused to support him, and the effort was finally aban-
doned.

Another dissension arose at the time of the well-known
Coetus Conferentie Controversy which excited the entire

BEI,I. MADE IN AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND, i::',i.
FOR THE HARLEM CHURCH

IT CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING INSCRIPTION:
"AMSTERDAM, ANNO 1734, ME FECIT"

denomination. The Conferentie party were determined
that the Church in America should continue its connec-
tion with and subordination to the Classis of Amsterdam
in Holland. The Coetus party insisted upon the right
of the Church here to ordain its own ministers and to
manage its own affairs. Besides, it was inconvenient and
expensive to send men to Holland in order that they
might be ordained and the desire was growing for a min-
istry educated in this country. The Controversy was a
long one, but the struggle for ecclesiastical independence
was finally successful, and a plan of union was subscribed
in 1772. In the Harlem Church those who adhered to
the Coetus were in the majority and embraced largely
the spiritual and progressive element of the Church.

CHAPTER IV.

The first minister to be installed over the Harlem
Church was the Rev. Martinus Schoonmaker. This was
in the year 1765. He divided his services between the
Harlem and Gravesend churches, and was one of the
ministers who in 1772 subscribed to the articles of
organization of the General Synod of the Reformed
Church.

The war of the Revolution caused an entire suspen-
sion of his labors; he was an ardent patriot, and with
many of his people was compelled to take refuge within
the American lines. It is unfortunate that certain let-
ters and documents showing the part played during the
war by many of the people of our Harlem Church have
been lost or destroyed. These, it is said, contained
accounts of many interesting experiences and served to
deepen the impression of the real value of the church's
influence upon the minds and hearts of a people in great
want and extremity. Often, during those early days of
siege and suffering, the church building must have been
sought and used as a real refuge, and when the actual
invasion of the British made this no longer possible, the
thoughts kindled by former sacred associations must
have acted as an encouragement in trial and an incentive
to nobler being and doing. The following war refer-

ences have been gleaned from certain family records
which have on them the stamp of genuineness.

In 1776, when the Revolutionary war opened, the
Provincial Convention, on leaving Xew York, met for
a month in the church at Harlem. The records of the
convention were concealed in the home of one of the
elders, John Bogert, a good Whig. His house stood
at the end of what is now 12oth Street and the Harlem
river. It is related that Captain Samson Benson, also
an elder of the church, rendered important service with
his Harlem company in standing guard and carrying
out the orders of the convention until forced to retire
before the fire of the enemy.

William Dyckman and his sons residing near the
Harlem river at 210th Street, rendered valuable service
during the war. The two boys, Abraham and ^Michael,
immortalized themselves as the "Westchester Guides."
Abraham was killed JVIarch 4th, 1782, while doing
service. The name of Abram Delamontagnie is found
on the church books and also in records that refer to
valuable service rendered by him during the war. He
was the innkeeper, and his house, near the Commons,
was a famous resort for the Liberty Boys.

With the acknowledgment of our national indepen-
dence, after seven years of exile, the people returned
only to find their homesteads laid waste and their sanctu-
ary in ruins. Dominie Schoonmaker remained until
1785, twenty years after the date of his call, when he was
elected to the pastorate of the six collegiate churches of
King's County, at a salary of one-hundred-fifty
pounds 23er annum. He took up his residence at Flat-

bush where he spent the remainder of his Hfe. He died
on the 20th of May, 1824, leaving six sons and five
daughters. A great-grand-daughter of his, Mrs. D.
Phoenix Ingraham, is at present a member of the Lenox
Avenue Church.

Dominie Schoonmaker was the second son of Joachim
and Lydia Schoonmaker and was born at Rochester,
N. Y., March 1st, 1737. He commenced his classical
studies with Dominie Goetchius of Schraalenburgh,
N. J. in 1753 and his theological with the Rev. Mr. Mar-
inus of Acquackanock in 1759. On June 27th, 1761, he
married a Miss Mary Basset and in 1763 was licensed to
preach, accepting a call from the congregations of Har-
lem and Gravesend.

For the following very interesting sketch of Dominie
Schoonmaker, and some of the customs and manners of
the people during his pastorate, we are indebted to an
article in the Christian Intelligencer of October 23d,
1858, by the Rev. Peter Van Pelt:

"Dominie Schoonmaker resided at Flatbush, central
and convenient for his other churches. He was a man of
reserved and retiring habits ; more so, perhaps, from the
circumstances that it was exceedingly difficult for him to
hold even a common conversation without mangling
most horribly the English language. Fluent and ready
in the language in which he was educated, he displayed
by his manner and gestures, all the dignity and sincerity
ai)plicable to his position and functions. Courteous and
polite, he was a relic of the old school and universally re-
spected. Indeed it may be questioned whether the ven-
erable minister had a solitary enemy. An anecdote has
been related, and many years ago was in common cir-
culation, which some may consider a slander upon his
abilities and acquirements. I would rather regard it as

an innocent and harmless witticism of some wag, and
probably one of his best friends. Having celebrated a
marriage, at the close of the ceremony, for the benefit of
the spectators, he attempted to terminate it in English
with the sentence, 'I pronounce you man and wife, and
one flesh; whom God hath joined together, let no man
put asunder.' His English failed him; yet conscious
of perfect rectitude, and the propriety of a shorter trans-
lation, with much solemnity and emphasis and an ap-
propriate congee, he exclaimed, 'I pronounce ye two to
be one beef.'

"It was in 1819 that I last heard or recollect to have
seen the old Dominie. It was at the funeral of one of
his old friends and associates. A custom had very gen-
erally prevailed, which, though then very rarely ob-
served, yet in this instance was literally adhered to. The
deceased had many years before provided and laid away
the materials for his own coffin. This one was of the
best seasoned and smoothest boards and beautifully
grained. Other customs and ceremonies then existed,
now almost forgotten. As I entered the room I ob-
served the coffin elevated on a table in one corner. The
Dominie, abstracted and grave, was seated at the up-
per end; and around in solemn silence the venerable
and hoary-headed friends of the deceased. All was
still and serious. A simple recognition or a half audible
inquiry, as one after another arrived, was all that passed.
Directly the sexton, followed by a servant, made his
appearance, with glasses and decanters. Wine was
handed to each. Some declined, others drank a solitary
glass. This ended, and again the sexton presented him-
self with pipes and tobacco. The Dominie smoked his
pipe and a few followed his example. The custom has
become obsolete and it is well that it has. When the

whiffs of smoke had ceased to curl around the head
of the Dominie, he arose with evident feehng and in a
quiet, subdued tone, made a short, but apparently im-
pressive address. I judged solely by his appearance
and manner; for although boasting a Holland descent,
it was to me speaking in an unknown tongue. A short
prayer concluded the service ; and then the sexton taking
the lead was followed by the Dominie, the doctor and
pall bearers, with white scarfs and black gloves. The
corjjse and a long procession of friends and neighbors
proceeded to the churchyard, where all that was mortal
was committed to the earth, till the last trump shall
sound and the grave shall give up the dead. No bustle,
no confusion, no noise nor indecent haste, attended
that funeral."

The inhabitants of Harlem who survived the Revolu-
tionary war and returned to their devastated home-
steads, as soon as their condition would admit, began
the erection of a new edifice on the site of the Old Stone
Church. This was about 1789. The subscriptions for
this building, according to the record, amounted to £63,
4s. Besides this, Benjamin Benson collected a large
sum which was the cause of the adoption of the follow-
ing minute, October 22d, 1790.

"Whereas Benjamin Benson of the Township of Har-
lem has collected from the year 1788 to 1790, with a
great deal of fatigue and trouble, of sundry well-dis-
posed persons from several of the United States, to the
amount of £89, s6, d6, and has disposed of the same
toward furnishing the church of such township in man-
ner following (here follows a list of disbursements) , and
has given as a further volunteer gift to said church, £6,
sl2, d7, a table and cup." This (the above) was ordered
to be placed on record.

Until this church was completed, the congregation
passed through a trying and discouraging period, being
compelled to worship in a barn belonging to ]Mr. Benson
which adjoined the church yard. But on November 9th,
1791, the Rev. John Frelinghuysen Jackson, a son of
the Rev. William Jackson, the first pastor of
the Reformed Church of Bergen, Jersey City, was
called to become pastor in conjunction with the chin-ch
at Tarrytown, and in this relationship he continued for
thirteen years and five months.

Corwin's Manual gives the date of his birth as 1768
at Bergen, and states that he was educated at Queen's
College in 1788 and early introduced into the ministry;
that for nearly half a century he served the INIaster
with singular consistency, faithfulness and zeal; that he
was a man of sound, experimental and practical piety,
of great simplicity of character, singleness of heart, and
of self-denying humility. His portrait and sketches of
his life may be seen in the Tarrijtoivn Bicentennial.
M. D. Raymond in his sketch thus speaks of him:

"His refined spirituelle face shows him the scholarly
cultured gentleman that he was; a gentleman by birth,
by association and by education. When he first came to
Tarrytown in 1791, he was a young man just from the
schools, and this, conjointly with Harlem, was his first
pastorate. His learning and natural dignity from the
first commanded respect, and no man thought lightly
of him because of his youth.

"He was well born, the son of Rev. William Jackson
and Anne Frelinghuysen, his wife, who was the daughter
of Rev. John Frelinghuysen born 1727, the son of Rev.
Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen of New Jersey, so
prominent in his day in that state and the nation. His
father, Rev. William Jackson and his grandfather,

Rev. John Frelinghuysen, both graduated at Amster-
dam, Holland, were distinguished alike for their high
character and j^ulpit eloquence.

"His father, Rev. William Jackson, who is spoken of
as a second Whitfield, was a son of Patrick Jackson of
New York, who was baptized March 16th, 1701, and
married Anna Van der Spiegel, June 10th, 1727. He
was the son of William Jackson of Edinburgh, Scot-
land and later of New York, where he married Anna
Wessels, January 24th, 1694. A mingling as will be
seen of good Scotch and Dutch blood. Such was the
honorable ancestry of Rev. John Frelinghuysen
Jackson."

The following is taken from "Riker's Harlem:"

"In regard to William Jackson from Edinburgh,
Scotland, above named, and the first of that family in
this country, and the ancestor of the Rev. John F.
Jackson, the following interesting facts were related
by Rev. Dr. Howard Crosby in his address at the 2.50th
Anniversary of the Collegiate Reformed Church of
New York.

"In the month of January, 1707, a distinguished
Presbyterian clergyman from Maryland, who had ar-
rived in the city, desired to hold public services accord-
ing to the form of worship of that denomination, but
this did not meet with the favor of Lord Cornburv, the
Colonial Governor, whereupon Mr. William Jackson
fearlessly and nobly opened his own house on Pearl
Street for such services, and then and there was this
powerful and influential church first organized in this
city. For this act the Presbyterian clergyman was im-
prisoned for two months. Mr. Jackson was also threat-
ened with arrest. And that was the beginning of that
Church in New York."

This pen picture of Dominie Jackson is from Dr.
Allen's Historical Address on the Old Dutch Church,
delivered before the Tarrytown Historical Society
several years affo:

"The Rev. John F. Jackson was pastor from the
year 1791 to 1806. He was held in high repute by his
ministerial brethren, but was not altogether popular
with the people. He is described as a tall, fine looking
man, but the people thought him very proud. He pow-
dered his hair and was always j^atting it, and never
spoke to any of his flock whom he met by the way. He
lived in Harlem and rode up on horseback on Satur-
days. His old horse, Snap, is still remembered. Stop-
ping with his parishioners, he was accustomed to order
his horse put up, and when he wanted him again he
would order him up. The troubles between him and
the people seem to have increased, and when he left,
it was evidently with a sore heart, as is shown by the
last hymn which he gave out to be sung at the last
service. It was the 120th Psalm of the old collection :
"Thou God of Love, Thou ever blessed."

The Tarri/fozcti Bicentennial gives the following in-
teresting facts regarding the will of Dominie Jackson :

"The will of Rev. J. F. Jackson, made December
12th, 1835, with a codicil dated March .)tli. 183f). was
proven May 2d, 1836, lie having died on the 26th of
March. By its nearly thirty ])rovisions, he dis])ose(l of
a very large estate. In it he speaks of himself as 'I. John
F. Jackson, of Harlem, in the 12th ward of the City of
Xew York, minister of the Gos])el,' etc. Besides to bis
wife, Hannah, he bequeathed valuable ])ro])ertv in dif-
ferent parts of the city and several thousand dollars in
money, to each of his five children, to wit: His sorts,
Theodore F., and Dr. Wm. H. Jackson, and his

daughter, Maria, wife of Dr. Lewis Belden, INIargaret,
the wife of Dr. Edgar F. Peck, and Catherine Ehza,
who afterward married Mr. Frederick E. Westbrook,
son of Rev. Dr. Cornehus Dupuy Westbrook, of Fish-
kill and Kingston.

"Rev. Mr. Jackson also by his will donated the
ground for a new Reformed Dutch Church on 21st
Street, with the proviso that it should be built upon,
within two years. His widow also made liberal pro-
visions toward it, and the church, of which the Rev.
Dr. Bethune was at one time pastor, was erected, but
was afterward disposed of, it is said, in violation of the
spirit, if not of the letter of the trust.

"The explanation of how this large holding of real
estate which included one hundred acres in the city of
New York, came into possession of the Rev. John F.
Jackson, was found in the will of his father, Rev. Wil-
liam Jackson, also on file in the Surrogate's office of
the city of New York, dated January 11th, 1811. In it he
describes himself as a Minister of the Gospel, of Bergen,
N. J., and after giving annuities to his sons, Patrick
and Theodore F., he gives 'all my real estate which is
in the city of New York, which I have inherited from
my late father, Patrick Jackson,' to his sons, Henry
and Rev. John F. Jackson. And then the widow Ben-
son, whom he married, also inherited a large property.
Hence the valuable estate bequeathed to their descend-
ants."

At the close of Dominie Jackson's pastorate in Har-
lem, the consistory adopted the following:

"We, the underwritten, the elders and deacons, con-
stituting the consistory of the Reformed Dutch Church
at Haerlam, do hereby certify that the Reverend Mr.
John F. Jackson was called, ordained and settled in the

said church, in combination with the church at Tarry-
town, in the month of November, in the year of our
Lord, 1791. That he has since that time maintained
his standing as a lawful and faithful minister of the
Gospel, and as such labored among us thirteen years and
four months. That he has faithfully fulfilled the ob-
ligations of his call in preaching the Gospel in its purity,
catechising, administering the sacraments, visiting the
congregation, in which he has been exemplary. And
that now having, by mutual consent, resigned his pas-
torial charge, he leaves this church in the same good
standing.

"We sincerely pray that the Lord may prosper his
ministerial work and render him extensively useful in
whatever part of His vineyard he may hereafter be
called to labor. Given at Haerlam, this 13th day of
February, 1805."

The above is a copy of what was probably the original
draught of the certificate and does not contain the names
of the elders and deacons. The copy given to Dominie
Jackson undoubtedly contained the signatures of the
following persons who composed the consistory at that
time :

Elders: Deacons:

David S. Waldron William Waldron

Jonathan Randell John Goodwin

John Adriance

Dominie Jackson was succeeded by the Rev. Jeremiah
Romeyn, D.D., who was called from Red Hook, N. Y.,
and began his work at Harlem on September 28tli, 1800.
After a pastorate of seven years, he tendered his resig-

nation to the consistory owing to some disagreement, the
character of which does not appear in the records.
Whereupon the consistory unanimously adopted the fol-
lowing :

"Resolved, that regretting as we do the unhappy state
of things which has prompted him to make this request,
we beheve it to be our duty to yield a compliance with it ;
explicitly declaring that we esteem him a sound and good
preacher, and praying fervently that the Lord will have
him and his family in His Holy keeping, and make him
a distinguished blessing to that people, among whom
Providence may cast his lot."

The consistory granted him a year's salary, and ac-
corded him the use of the parsonage until the following
April. One of his contemporaries thus describes him:
"He was a man of imposing personal appearance, of full
habit, grave, dignified and graceful. His head was finely
formed, his visage dark, with a dark-blue, powerful eye,
and set under an expanded brow ; his countenance florid ;
his hair full and white, and usually powdered when en-
tering the pulpit, or associating with gentlemen of the
olden school. His voice was clear and of remarkable
smoothness and filled easily the largest church edifice.
He was a thorough and accurate linguist, and as a
Hebrew scholar, particularly, his reputation was very
high. His attachment to this language brought him and
kept him for many years in close intimacy with the
Jewish Rabbi and other teachers of Hebrew in New
York, who often spoke of his high scholarship in this
department. He was a man of wit and great colloquial
talents, and hence he was always cordially welcomed
by such men as Chancellor Livingston and Governeur

Morris. He was never placed in circumstances the most
favorable to the development or the exhibition of his
powers. Had he been thrown into a different situation,
where he could have had a wider and more public
sphere in which to operate, I cannot doubt that he
would have attained a degree of distinction far greater
than he ever reached."

After leaving Harlem he supplied churches at Scho-
harie Kill and Beaverdam in Delaware County until
1817, when he removed to Woodstock, Ulster County,
where he died in the following year at the age of fifty."

It was during Doctor Romeyn's pastorate that the
church was incorporated, and as the legal document is a
matter of considerable interest, a copy of it is herewith
appended :

At a meeting of the Consistory of the Reformed Low
Dutch Church of Haerlem, in the ninth ward of the
City of New York and in the county and state of
New York, convened for the purpose of incorporation
agreeable to a law of the State of New York, "passed
27th March, 1801," entitled an Act to provide for the
incorporation of Religious Societies, held at the par-
sonage of said church on the 8th day of January, 1810,
the following Certificate was unanimously agreed u])on
and duly executed, viz. : "We, Jeremiah Romeyn, Min-
ister; Samson Benson, Jr., Samson A. Benson, Samuel
Bradhurst and John Goodwin, Elders ; John Adriance,
Samuel B. Waldron and Joseph Mott, Deacons, Do
Certify by these Presents, That we and our successors
shall forever hereafter be known in Law as a Body Cor-
porate by the name, style and title of the Minister, Eldcr.s
and Deacons of the Reformed Low Dutch Church of
Haerlem, in the ninth ward of the City of New York.

Done in Consistory, the day and year last above written,
as witness our hands and seals.

Signed and sealed
in presence of:

Harvey Elliott

Herman ]M. Romeyn

Jeremiah Romeyn, JNIinister, [L. S.]

Elders :
Samson Benson, Jr. [L. S.]
John Goodwin [L. S.]
Samson Benson [L. S.]
Samuel Bradhurst [L. S.]

Deacons:
John Adriance [L. S.]
Samuel B. Waldron [L. S.]
Joseph Mott [L. S.]

"Be it remembered that on this thirteenth day of
March, in the year one thousand eight hundred and ten,
personally appeared before me Jacob Hadcliffe, JNIayor
of the City of New York, Harvey Elliott and Herman
M. Romeyn, the subscribing witnesses to the within
Certificate, who being duly sworn, did depose and
say that they and each of them did see the persons within
named as the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the church
within mentioned, duly sign, seal and execute the within
Certificate as their act and deed and that they severally
subscribed the same as witnesses thereto and I do there-
fore allow the same to be recorded.

Signed, Jacob Radcliffe.
60

"Recorded in the office of Clerk of the City and Coun-
ty of New York in Lib. Xo. 1, of Record of Incorpo-
rations of Religious Denominations, Page 64, this 28th
day of March, 1810.

Signed, Robert Benson, Clerk."

CHAPTER V.

The first record of any special religious work in the
interest of young people is found in one of the minute
books under date of June 22nd, 1816. At this time the
Rev. Cornelius C. Vermeule, a licentiate, was acting as
Stated Supply of the church.

The record reads: "Whereas it has been represented
to the Consistory that some of the ladies of this place
are desirous to establish a Sabbath School in this village,
to become a branch of the parent school in the city of
New York, and wish the approbation and sanction of
this body to further their laudable undertaking, therefore
— Resolved that as it meets our approbation. Rev. Mr.
Vermeule be requested to announce from the pulpit
next Sabbath day their design, requesting the females
of this congregation and neighborhood, who are disposed
to aid their undertaking, to meet them next Tuesday
afternoon at five o'clock, at the Town School House;
and that Mr. Vermeule open the meeting with prayer."

It was, therefore, on Tuesday, June 25th, 1816 that
the Sabbath school was organized. Among its efl^cient
workers in those early days should be mentioned, John
Adriance, James Redfield, Mrs. Vermeule, Mrs. James
Baily and Miss I^etitia Doughty. Its superintendents,
including those of the Lenox Avenue School, which
came into existence October 4th, 1886, have been:

First Church

Mrs. James Baily L. I. Balloni

Miss Letitia Doughty Thomas Sproul

Charles Howell A. B. Demarest

H. S. Van Buren Samuel Holmes

Judge D. P. Ingraham Peter Walters

Edgar Ketcham C. A. Demarest

William Welsh John C. Giffing

John Dean Henry Hageman

Dr. D. Van Doren Joseph T. Brown

Augustus Rollins Charles A. ^lapes

John Rollins Henry Xeu

Hugh Henry

Lenox Avenue Church

Frank A. Ferris William P. Uhler

Harris H. Uhler Robert A. Martin

James R. Senior James D. Shipman

The first sessions of the school were held in "The Old
Red School House," which was located on Church Lane,
between Second atid Third avenues, and 122d and 123(1
streets; during the first years of its history a large col-
ored department was connected with it, under the care
of some of its most devoted workers. What was called
a "Mission School" was organized in 1858, which de-
veloped into a strong and flourishing body. Its sessions
were held in a building erected for its accommodation
in the rear of the church on Third avenue. It finally
united with the Church School.

A prominent feature in the Lenox Avenue School
previous to the year 1897, was the work of the Pleasant

Sunday Afternoon Club, which was organized as an
adjunct to the school and presided over for a time by
its first superintendent, Mr. Frank A. Ferris. Later
the Rev. Charles P. Fagnani, D.D., became its presiding
officer. Sessions were held in the church every Sunday
afternoon when the Sunday School lesson was ex-
pounded. At one time the membership roll of this club
reached 30O. It disbanded after Dr. Fagnani's with-
drawal.

For almost a century, the school, which to-day con-
sists of two branches ; one at the First, and the other at
the Lenox Avenue Church, has steadily pursued its
work, and thousands have been blessed through its in-
fluence. Its roll now numbers six hundred and fifty.

At a meeting of the consistory, held August 21st,
1816, steps were taken to secure the Rev. Mr. Ver-
meule, who had supplied the church for almost a year,
as a permanent pastor, and the following resolutions
were adopted:

"Whereas, Cornelius C. Vermeule, appears from per-
sonal consultation with this congregation to be the per-
son most acceptable to them as a stated pastor, and as
this consistory most cordially unite with them in the
choice, therefore be it

"Resolved, that a call upon the said Mr. Vermeule
as the stated pastor of this congregation be made; that
we offer him the sum of six hundred and fifty dollars
per annum, payable half yearly together with the par-
sonage house and garden for his support; that the call
be made out agreeably to the 36th explanatory Article
of the Government and Discipline of the Reformed
Dutch Church, and that our neighboring minister, the
Rev. Alexander Gunn be invited to superintend our

proceedings in the premises; to meet this consistory in
this place on the 26th day of this month to moderate said
call.

"Resolved, also, that an extra meeting of Classis be
solicited to receive and approve the call; that time may
be afforded JNIr. Yermeule, after having the call in his
possession, to determine whether to accept it or not, tliat
his answer may be obtained before the next regular
meeting of Classis; that if he accepts the call, his ex-
amination at that time may take place and his ordination
follow as soon after as may be."

All the conditions set forth in the above were complied
with. The following letter received from ]Mr. Yermeule,
communicating his acceptance of the call, is of interest.

Haerlem, October 18, 1816.

To the Consistorv of Haerlem Church,
Respected Sirs and Brethren in the Lord: —

I have received your call and hope that I have been
rightly induced to accept it. If so, the blessing of the
Lord will follow. Oh, it is a weighty concern! Things
of eternal moment are connected with it. ^May we be
prepared for the solemn connexion contemplated.

Respecting the temj^oral part of the contemphited
connexion, permit me to remark that in justice both
to you and to myself, I could not have consented to an
ordination, did I not think that Providence lias given
me pledges, both in your liberalities as a consistory and
in those of individuals, that I shall be provided for in
this place. I need not tell you that the salary offered
is insufficient for my support on the most economical
plan. But you have taught me to expect that if the

funds of the church increased, I shall be benefited bj^
them; and that you will make reasonable exertions to
effect such increase. I hope it will not be forgotten that
I hazarded something in coming to you on the terms
which I did. It was at least an experiment, and a
failure would have fallen most heavily on myself. I
will only add that I have nothing to complain of but
everything to be thankful for.

I avail myself of the present opportunity to return
you my most hearty thanks for your kind benefaction
of the summer past.

Your servant and, I trust, brother in the Lord,

C. C. Vermeule.

Dr. Vermeule was ordained to the ministry and his
installation as pastor of the Harlem Church took place
November 13th, 1816. The exercises of the day con-
sisted, so the record states, of an introductory prayer by
the Rev. Mr. Rowan of Greenwich, a sermon appro-
priate to the occasion by the Rev. JNIr. Labagh from
1 Corinthians 4:2. "Moreover, it is required in stewards
that a man be found faithful," the form of ordination
read by the Rev. Dr. KuyjDcrs, the concluding prayer
by the Rev. Mr. Gunn of Bloomingdale, the imposition
of hands by all the clergymen present, the whole con-
ducted with proper solemnity.

Dr. Vermeule served the Church for twenty years,
tendering his resignation October 6th, 1836, on account
of impaired health. The consistory voted "as a mark of
our respect and esteem for our pastor that a year's
salary be paid to Dr. Vermeule on the dissolution of
his connection with this church." He is said to have
been an earnest and faithful pastor, "of more than usual

modesty and humility of spirit, and of great tenderness
and sensibility of feeling." He died January 15, 1859,
at the age of seventy-two.

We find in the minute book of this period these two
resolutions :

August 6th, 1819:— "Resolved that the thanks of
the consistory be presented to JNIr. Samuel Benson, Jr.,
for his valuable and pious gift of a set of plated ware
for the communion service in Harlem Church."

September 1st, 1820: — "Whereas the congregation
is disturbed on the Sabbath during divine service })y
the bleating of sheep that graze on the burying-ground,
and, whereas, the grazing of sheep and cattle thereon is
otherwise offensive — Resolved that in future no shee}),
cattle or other beast be allowed to j^asture or graze on
the burying-ground adjoining the church, and that the
sheep now jjastured there be removed by the sexton."

It was during Dr. Vermeule's pastorate that the
fourth church edifice was erected. The village had
grown away from the church, and it was, therefore,
deemed advisable to secure a new site and erect a new
building.

At a sale of property by Governor Wilkins, ^lay
6th, 1824, a plot of ground was purchased by the con-
sistory on Third Avenue in the vicinity of 121st Street.
Not long afterward the work of building commenced, and
finally on September 18th, 1825, it was dedicated to the
service of God. Its total cost was about $6500. Tlie
l)lans were drawn by ]\Iartin E. Thompson wlio was
employed to superintend the building. The consistory
at the time consisted of Joseph ^Mott, John Adriance,

Thomas Brass, Elders, and David Wood, John S.
Adriance, James Bogert, Jr., Deacons.

After Dr. Vermeule's withdrawal the church was
without a pastor for one year and a half. In March,
1838, the Rev. Richard L. Schoonmaker accepted a call
to the church and continued as the pastor until Sep-
tember 7th, 1847, when he resigned. He came from a
Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine, Florida, and
after leaving Harlem served churches at North Hemp-
stead, Waterford, Amity and Rotterdam, this State; he
was afterward chaplain at Sing Sing prison for five
years. It is said that he was of a genial and winning
disposition and of considerable pulpit power.

No mention is made in the records of any church
choir until this period. Under date of October 7th, 1839,
we read: "Resolved that the persons desirous of having
a choir be permitted to form one, on condition that the
church will pay $50 per annum, and that the persons
forming it shall engage to continue it for one year."
Previous to this the precentor had stood in front of the
pulpit and conducted the singing. After this period we
find frequent references to small ap23ro2)riations for
choir music.

The catholic character of the church is shown in the
following minute recorded October 2nd, 1844. "An
application was made by the Baptist Church for the use
of the church on Thursday evening next week, for the
purpose of organizing their congregation, and where-
upon it was resolved, that the use of the church for that
night be granted them." With the growth of popula-
tion in various localities in these later years, other con-
gregations of different denominations were organized,
into which many of the Harlem Church members entered
at different times.

THE NEW YORK

PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND

Tii c;m foundations.

Rev. Jeremiah Skidmore I<ord, D.D. I'

CHURCH FRONTING ON THIRD AVENUE AT THE CORNER OF 121st STREET
MOVED AROUND ON laiST STREET, 1884:

Over twenty-five years had now rolled by since the
erection, on Third Avenue, of the fourth church edifice.
At a meeting of the consistory held September 21st,
1852, a petition was received from members and pew-
holders of the church for its enlargement. It was favor-
ably voted upon, and Elder L. I. Balloni and Deacon
James Crawford were appointed a building committee,
with instructions to carry out the wishes of the people.
Elders D. P. Ingraham and D. Fanshaw, with Deacon
G. A. Rollins were appointed a finance committee. The
church w^as raised and enlarged, the front altered, and
the basement fitted up for a prayer-meeting and Sunday
School room. The cost of the improvement was
$11,259.89. This was the church with its beautiful lo-
cation on Third avenue, before that avenue had become
a business centre, that many old residents of Harlem re-
member.

On January 8th, 1854, the consistory adopted this
resolution: "Resolved, that the thanks of this consistory
be given to Elders Balloni and Crawford for their in-
defatigable exertions in 2)rocuring for us such a comfort-
able and beautiful house of worship; and especially does
this consistory feel indebted to Elder Balloni, for his
personal sacrifice in neglecting his own business for many
weeks, that he might attend to the building, fitting nj)
a'ld furnishing the church, that we might obtain early
possession." At a subsequent meeting a Bible was voted
to each as "a testimonial of regard for their services."
At the same meeting the thanks of the consistory and a
Bible were voted to Judge D. P. Ingraham, "as a token
of esteem, and for the able and devoted manner in which
he has for many years discharged the duties of
treasurer."

An organ had been placed in the church in 1850,
and in the Spring of 1865, it was enlarged and removed
to the rear of the pulpit. At the same time galleries
were built and other alterations made, at an expense as
per contract of $2800, less a donation by the builder of
$225. This work was done by Jesse W. Powers, now
a member of the Lenox avenue congregation. Upon
its completion, Consistory, April 10th, 1865, adopted
this:

"Whereas Jesse W. Powers, truly interpreting the
universal desire of our congregation for the shortest
possible suspension of Divine Worship, has, at increased
cost to himself, completed the construction of the gal-
leries in our church much sooner than was expected ; and
whereas this act has been crowned by another equally
unselfish in donating to this consistory the entire profits
accruing from his contract, now, therefore, be it Resolved,
that in accepting the said gift, this consistory tender to
Mr. Powers an expression of their high appreciation of
his disinterestedness, and desire to bear their united
testimony to the workmanlike and rapid manner in which
his contract has been completed." A volume of "Har-
per's Illustrated Bible" was also presented to Mr.
Powers by the consistory.

At this time the Rev. Jeremiah Skidmore Lord,
D.D., was pastor of the church, having been installed in
May, 1848. His whole jiastorate covered a period of
twenty-one years and was a remarkably successful one.
He was the first pastor of the church who died while in
its service, entering into rest April 2nd, 1869. He was
greatly beloved, and his funeral brought together a large
assembly of people and many of the clergy. It was
conducted by the Rev. Talbot W. Cliambers, D.D.,
minister of the Collegiate Church of New York. The

THE NF.W YORK

PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND
TiLC-:iN FOUNDATIONS.

Re¥.JEREM[AH S.LDROAO.

For Tiven-ty ojae years
Pastor of tliis diiircli.
Eari:iest,FaitIifiil,wise iit

wmnincj soiiis< ajad deeply

beloved by CLie CLiildFen.,

tbe YoiEtK«axi.d tLie A^ed.

I eii asleep in Jesms April 2,186 9,|

in. the 56th.yeaF of liis aoe.

* Frotn the confines of the
Etemul WorldJ beseech you in
'I Chris fs stedd.be ye reconciCed io
GOnr J,S,L,March 25aS69,

Bv^ lUe SctbbctUv Sc\vooV.

LORD TABL,ET, FIRST CHURCH

congregation erected a monument over his remains in
Greenwood cemetery, the Sunday School placed a tab-
let to his memory in the church and the consistory
adopted the following minute :

"Whereas our Heavenly Father has, in His all-
wise but mysterious Providence removed by death our
much loved pastor. Rev. J. S. Lord, D.D., Resolved,
that though we feel overwhelmed by this great affliction,
yet we would bow in submission to the will of Him 'who
doeth all things well.'

"Resolved, that in the death of our beloved pastor,
we have lost a devoted and sympathetic friend and
brother, our church an earnest and faithful shepherd,
who has for more than a score of years labored among us
with a zeal in the cause of his oNIaster, whicli has been
crowned with great success in advancing the interests
of our Redeemer's Kingdom; and our community one
who was beloved for his exemplary and Christian
Character."

The Rev. Giles Henry ^landeville, D.D., his suc-
cessor, paid him the following tribute in a historical
discourse preached xVpril 20th, 1873.

"To very many of you his memory is fragrant and
precious. The bonds that knit you to him grew in i)ower
and tenderness with each year of his ministry. His
unusual social qualities, his personal interest and tender
sympathy in all your experiences, the fervor and unc-
tion and deep devotedness that characterized all his pas-
toral and ministerial labors, all served to endear him to
your hearts and give him power with you as a preacher
of the Everlasting Gospel. The influence of Dr. Lord
will live for many years among this people, while in
many hearts, here and elsewhere, his name will be cher-
ished with tender affection."

Dr. Mandeville was the seventh pastor of the Harlem
Church and entered upon his work here November 1st,
1869. For twelve years he discharged the duties and re-
sponsibilities of his office with a conscientiousness and
fidelity that greatly endeared him to the people. He
expounded the Scriptures with clearness and force, and
his sermons were always luminous with great truths
stated in original language and new forms.

He had previously served the Reformed Church of
Flushing, Long Island, where he was ordained and in-
stalled. He remained with the Flushing congregation
over eight years doing a most acceptable work both as
minister and citizen. While there he delivered a lecture
on Flushing in a course for the benefit of the village poor,
which was subsequently published in a small volume with
illustrations, under the title, "Flushing Past and Pres-
ent." It is said to be the best historical sketch of the
place extant.

After leaving Flushing he became the pastor of the
Reformed Church of Newburg, N. Y., where he re-
mained for a period of ten years, resigning his charge to
come to Harlem.

It was during Dr. Mandeville's pastorate here that
an exceedingly important work was accomplished by
the consistory.

In the year 1869, the Consistory, realizing that the
growth of the city northward would soon encroach upon
the last resting places of the old members of the church,
decided to find a new place of interment far from the life
of the city.

A plot of ground was purchased in that year in
Woodlawn Cemetery, on North Cedar Avenue, sixty-
two feet by ninety-six feet, for the sum of two thousand
two hundred and fifty dollars.

'/^-t^l^

Then Harlem having outgrown the rural church-
yard or "God's Acre," which is the misfortune to which
all city churches are subjected, the consistory took steps
toward effecting the removal of the remains which were
interred in the old cemetery in First Avenue between
124th and 12oth Streets and also those in the churchyard
on Third Avenue and 121st Street. To the plot in
Woodlawn, or subject to the disposition of relatives, this
transfer was made but not completed until the year 1875,
when the committee in charge made its report, which in
part is as follows:

"In conclusion, the committee are happy to be able
to report that the removal of these remains representing
many of the oldest and most honored names in the his-
tory of Harlem and of this church, and held in affec-
tionate regard by surviving friends, has been accom-
plished without discord or strife and to the satisfaction
of the vault owners and friends."

The names of many of the families who had used
our churchyard for burial purposes and whose remains
were removed at this time are appended.

John Randell, David Wood,

Morris Randell, Sarah ^leyer

Daniel P. Ingraham, Alexander Pabor,

Margaret McGown, Benjamin P. Benson,

Samson B. ^McGown, Peter Van Arsdale,

Margaret E. Adriance, ^Nlyndert Van Schaick,

James P. Roosevelt, Lewis S. Ford,

James Amory, Peter ^Meyer, Jr.,

Peter B. Amorv, John Adriance,

Thomas Brass, William ISIolender,

Elizabeth Post, William H. Jackson,

Lucretia Southwick, James DePeyster.

The following names appeared on headstones:

Austin,

Irwin,

Armstrong,

Johnston,

Benson,

Keley,

Budd,

Leggett,

Boice,

Longhurst,

Bussing,

Moody,

Duryea,

Mann,

Dunscomb,

Ott,

Deyo,

Pymm,

Eastman,

Read,

Finley,

Seholefield,

Faugeres,

Tanner,

Glendenning,

Taylor,

Gautro,

Williams,

Green,

Wildman.

After leaving the Harlem Church, Dr. Mandeville
became the corresponding secretary of the Board of
Education of the Reformed Church, and for seventeen
years gave all of his energy to the work of arousing and
maintaining the interest of the church in the education
of young men for the Gospel ministry. His splendid
executive ability was a valuable asset for the Board, and
when in the year 1900 failing health compelled him to
ask for relief from active work, he was made Honorary
Secretary and Treasurer which office he held until his
death, November 8th, 1904.

We have as members of the Lenox Avenue congre-
gation to-day, two of his daughters, Mrs. Walter P.
Silleck and Mrs. Robert A. Hevenor.

K
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CHAPTER VI.

Dr. ^landeville was followed in the pastorate by the
Rev. George Hutchinson Smyth, D.D. His installation
took place Sunday evening, November 6th, 1881, the
following account of which appeared the next morning
in the issue of the New York Times.

"The venerable Reformed Church of Harlem, at
Third Avenue and East 121st Street, installed a new
pastor last evening in the person of the Rev. George H.
Smyth. The services were conducted by the Rev. Dr.
Talbot W. Chambers, of the Collegiate iliddle Church ;
the Rev. Dr. E. B. Coe, of the Fifth Avenue, and the
Rev. E. Fairchild, of the Union. The installation ser-
mon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Coe, who took his
text from Mark 13:31. 'Heaven and earth sliall pass
away, but my words shall not pass away.' The charge
to the pastor and people were delivered by the Rev. j\Ir.
Fairchild and Dr. Chambers, respectively. The bene-
diction was pronounced by the pastor. JNIr. Smyth is of
Scotch-Irish parentage, and 43 years old. His father's
family were Scotch Covenanters. He is a stout, pleasant-
faced and intellectual looking man. He studied in tlie
University of New York and the Queen's University at
Belfast, Ireland, and was graduated from the Allegheny
Seminary at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In 1864, he
offered his services to Secretary Stanton, which were
accepted, and he served a year and a half as Chaplain

in the Army. At the conclusion of that time he became
pastor of the Sixth Presbyterian Church in Washington,
where he remained for five years. He accepted a call to
the West Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Dela-
ware, and was its pastor for three years. At the end of
that time his health failed, and he was compelled to
abstain from work. In 1873 he was sufficiently re-
covered to take the Chaplaincy of the Randall's Island
Reform School, which position he occupied until October
last."

During the ten years of Dr. Smyth's pastorate the
church prospered and many changes took place. There
were large additions to the membership roll. The old
edifice was removed from its frontage on the avenue to
that on 121st Street. It was repaired, improved and
beautified in all of its appointments. The Third Avenue
plot was then used for business purposes, greatly in-
creasing the value of the property and adding to the
income of the church. The avenue had become a busi-
ness thoroughfare, and the elevated railroad, then of
recent construction, had added to the undesirability of
Third Avenue as a location for a church.

When considering the real estate or i^roperty inter-
ests of the church corporation, it should be remembered
that originally the church came into legitimate owner-
ship of about five acres of land which was known as
the Church Farm. Its boundary line may be roughly
described as running from a point on the Old Harlem
Lane below what is now known as 121st Street, in a
northeasterly direction to a point above 123rd Street;
thence in a northwesterly direction to a point above
124th Street, between Second and Third Avenues;
thence southwest to Kingsbridge Road at a point where
Lexington Avenue approaches 121st Street; thence

R5V. GEORGE HUTCHINSON SMYTH, D. D.

southeast along Old Kingsbridge Road to the point
of beginning.

The church also came into possession of a plot of
ground on the water front above 125th Street, which
was the site of the original church and was afterward
used as a negro burying ground. It also came into
possession of a piece of meadow land near 200th Street
known as Dykeman's Flats.

In these later years members of the Consistory have
often expressed regret that so much of this property
was sold from time to time in order to defray the ex-
penses of church maintenance. There is no disposition
to criticise the business ability or foresight of some of our
earlier church officers, for undoubtedly they were hard
pressed at times to meet the financial obligations of
the church; and when the people allowed debts to ac-
cumulate, there seemed to be no other course to pursue
than that of realizing on the property. In very early
times, the rentals amounted to but little, and were not
sufficient to take care of the annual deficits tliat may
have existed in the church maintenance account.
However, all this does not dispose of our regret that
lots, 2.5x100 feet, were sold for $125 each, which to-day
are worth $10,000. We find the following under date
of April 10th, 1848:

"Resolved, that application be made to the Court
for permission to sell real estate sufficient to pay off
the debts of this Church, not exceeding three thousand
dollars and that the President be authorized to sign the
same and affix the seal of the Corporation. The
treasurer reported that Dr. Wood has agreed to take
the lots on 121st Street for $650."

Also the following under date of July 7th, 1853:

"Resolved, that the property known as the Negro
Burying Ground be sold to the highest bidder.

"Resolved, that Elders Balloni and Crawford, Dea-
cons Denison and Rollins be and are hereby appointed
a Committee to negotiate the sale of said property, with
power."

This plot was finally sold for $3,000.

Of course, as Third Avenue began to be used for
business purposes, it became necessary to obtain money
to improve the vacant property and meet conditions
which arose through the expiration of certain leases.
Long term leases had already been given on some of
the lots, and buildings had been erected by the tenants.
These buildings were finally purchased and the whole
property placed on a better income bearing basis
through the sale of several lots. The last piece of
property on Third Avenue disposed of by the church
was a lot 25x100 feet, which was sold July, 1883, to
Thomas C. Freeborn for $15,000.

In April, 1885, eight lots on r22nd Street, between
Second and Third Avenues were sold for $40,550, and
this amount was used toward the purchase of ten lots
at the corner of Lenox Avenue and 123rd Street, which
were secured for $65,000. Later a small part of this
plot fronting on 123rd Street was sold for $24,000,
which brouglit the actual purchasing price of the site
on which the Lenox Avenue Church, Chapel and Par-
sonage now stand to the very low figure of $41,000. At
a meeting of the Consistory held April 11th, 1884, a com-
mittee had been appointed to consider the expediency
of building a new cliurch on another site, and this pur-
chase was one of the results of their conferences.

Ground for the Lenox Avenue cliurch was broken,
April 26th, 1885. The laying of the corner stone took

mNOX AVENUE CHURCH, CHAPEI. AND PARSONAGE

place June 24th, 1886, and on September 30th, 1886,
the church was dedicated with approi)riate services. The
first Sunday services in the church were held October
3rd, 1886.

It was at first thought that when the new Lenox Ave-
nue Church was completed, the church on the East
Side would be abandoned, but this idea was changed.
Although one hundred and fifty members of the old
church, with the pastor. Dr. Smyth, were transferred
to the new church, it was decided to continue work in
the old field. The two churches were, therefore, joined
into one corporation and thus became collegiate, hav-
ing one governing body, the Consistory, with representa-
tives from each congregation. The Consistory meet-
ing at which this was authorized was that of November
12th, 1886, when the following motion ])revailed,
namely, that "For the sake of convenience, this church
he known as the Collegiate Reformed Church of Har-
lem/^ Accordingly, new "Standing Rules" of the
church corporation, as revised by the committee
apj)ointed for that purpose, were unanimously adopted
"to go into effect at once." These rules were ordered
printed and, as amended from time to time, are in use
in the Consistory to-day.

Mention should here be made of JNIr. Edward Col)!),
for thirteen years the faithful and efficient clerk of tlie
Consistory, who died February, 1900, while in its
service, and of ]Mr. Thomas Crawford, the treasurer of
the church, by whose energetic work the ])i-()perty
interests of the corporation were so well conserved, not
only during this period, but throughout his wliole ad-
ministration from 1883 until 1908. It was ill health that
finally compelled ^Mr. Crawford to relinquish the ofiice

of treasurer, and at a meeting of the Consistory held
February 14th, 1908, the following minute was adopted:

The Consistory of the Collegiate Reformed Church
of Harlem, desire to record their high appreciation of
the efficient services of Mr. Thomas Crawford, treas-
urer of the Church for the long period of twenty-five
years.

During this time very important and responsible work
devolved upon the treasurer in safeguarding the prop-
erty of the Church and in the extensive alterations of
its buildings, and the erecting of the Lenox Avenue
Church, Chapel and Parsonage. This work he ably
performed; Mr. Crawford's ability as a financier, his
well earned reputation for probity and uprightness in
the community, and especially among the officers and
directors of financial institutions, were of very great
value to our Church and corporation.

The thorough mastery of the details of the property
under his care and his unfailing courtesy made the
official relations of the members of Consistory with him
an agreeable duty.

And now at the close of our official relations we assure
Mr. Crawford of our continued respect and affection.

f Edgar Vanderbilt,
Committee -1 David Henry,

[ Eugene S. Hand.

Mr. Peter S. Gettell, who for several years had served
as clerk of the Consistory, was elected to succeed Mr.
Crawford as treasurer.

REV. JOACHIM e;i,me;ndorf, d. d.

%»*<

REV. \VII,I,IAM JUSTIN HARSHA, I). D.

( i U 1, i-i'^ i^iiJ AiA 4.V 1

ASTOR, LENOX AND
T;'. DUN FOUNDATIONS.

CHAPTER VII.

When Dr. Smyth was transferred to the pastorate
of the Lenox Avenue Church, the Rev. Joachim Elmen-
dorf, D.D., then pastor of the Second Reformed Church
of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., was invited to succeed him at
the First Church. He accepted the call extended to him
on June 24th, 1886, and on Wednesday evening, Sep-
tember 22nd of that year occurred his installation as
pastor.

Dr. Smyth remained with the Lenox Avenue Church
until 1891, and was followed by the Rev. William
Justin Harsha, D.D., who for fifteen years had been
pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Omaha.
After seven years of service here Dr. Harsha resigned
and in 1901 became one of the pastors of the Highland
Park Presbyterian Church of Denver, Colorado. He
is now engaged in agricultural pursuits in that State.

For twelve years Dr. Elmendorf carried on an
aggressive campaign on the East Side of Harlem. By
the end of that period many changes in the community
had occurred. The tenement and the apartment house
had taken the place of the old dwelling house. A large
number of Harlem's representative people had removed
to the West Side or the suburbs. A foreign element of
population had commenced to appear. A parish house
had been erected alongside of the First Church, and a
large chapel joined to the Lenox Avenue Church.

Although Dr. Elmendorf had for some time been
assisted in the work by the Rev. Frank :Malven, a

young and energetic graduate of our Seminary at New
Brunswick, N. J., advancing years and the strain of
the work were beginning to tell upon his strength. It
was, therefore, decided by the Consistory to relieve Dr.
Elmendorf, by calling an associate, continuing him,
however, as the Senior minister with only occasional
demands upon him for active service.

The present minister, Rev. Edgar Tilton, Jr., D.D.,
then completing his seventh year of service in the
Jamaica Reformed Church, was called and on Septem-
ber 4th, 1898, preached his first sermon in the church.
His installation took place Tuesday evening, Septem-
ber 27th. His relationship with Dr. Elmendorf while
at the First Church was a most happy one and resulted
in the formation of a close and affectionate friendship
which was only severed by the death, several years later,
of this much loved and venerable man of God.

After serving the First Church for seventeen months,
the present minister was transferred to the Lenox Ave-
nue Church to succeed Dr. Harsha who had resigned
his charge in November, 1899. He began his work in
the Lenox Avenue parish, February 1st, 1900, the instal-
lation service being held Sunday evening, February 4th.
Dr. Elmendorf had already been appointed the Senior
Minister of the Church corporation.

In the Spring of the same year the Rev. Edward S.
Ralston, pastor of the Reformed Church of Piermont,
N. Y., was engaged by the Consistory to assume charge
of the work at the First Church, where he labored with
success for about two years and a half, when he accepted
a call to the Second Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie,
familiarly known to the Harlem people as "Dr. Elmen-
dorf's Old Church."

The next minister to be called to the Harlem Church
was the Rev. Benjamin E. Dickhaut of the South Re-
formed Church, Brooklyn. Mr. Dickhaut had pre-
viously served the Reformed Church at Fishkill, N. Y.,
and one of the chapels of the Collegiate Church in this
City. He began his work as pastor of the First Church
May 1st, 1903 and continued in the pastorate until a call
was tendered him by the First Presbyterian Church of
Jamaica, N. Y. He then resigned his resignation tak-
ing effect August 31st, 1909.

During this period a disastrous fire occurred which
destroyed the large commercial building at the corner
of Third Avenue and 121st Street, occupied by Cowper-
thwait & Company, and owned by the church corpora-
tion. The destruction of this building brought before
the Consistory two problems ; one relating to the recon-
struction of its building, and another concerning the
readjustment of its religious work on the East Side of
Harlem.

Reference has already been made to the changing
conditions in the community which were creating de-
mands for new methods in religious work. For several
years the Consistory had been assuming a waiting at-
titude until some event in the life of the Church should
unmistakably point out a definite course to be pursued.

The Old Church with its parish house stood just west
of the plot formerly occupied by the Cowperthwait
building. The church itself was a frame structure, over
eighty years old and regarded by many as a fire-trap.
The whole plant seemed to occupy much more land than
was actually needed to meet the religious demands that
were being made upon it. A portion of this land in
connection with the corner property could be advan-
tageously used in constructing a new building which

525427

should add materially to the income of the corporation
and thus provide larger means for the furtherance of its
many benevolences.

The Consistory, therefore, at a meeting held May
10th, 1907, decided to remove the church building, use a
portion of its site for business purposes, remodel the
parish house to accommodate the needs of the congrega-
tion, and retain a ^^art of the land to the east of the
parish house to be used when needed for enlarging its
work.

This plan met with some opposition on the part of the
members of the First Church and a petition was ad-
dressed to the Consistory, asking that the action of May
10th, relative to the removal of the First Church Build-
ing be reconsidered and reversed.

The Consistory formulated a reply to this petition
which was read from the pulpits of the two churches,
was printed and mailed to all the members. A part of
this reply under date of May 24th, 1907, follows:

"In framing a reply to this petition, the members of
the Consistory desire, first, to express their appreciation
of the deep interest manifested in the wish to preserve
this ancient landmark. They themselves share in the
desire to retain and preserve, if possible, the old things
of life around which are clustered reverent and tender
associations, and in an especial sense does the old church
building appeal to them, since, aside from their own per-
sonal relationship to it, there is connected with it a long
and glorious record of worship and service for the
Master's sake. But there have been reasons other than
those of feeling, sentiment and personal attachment that
have entered into their action; a prayerful and deliber-
ate consideration of the whole situation has made it im-
possible for them to reach any decision other than that

100

RBv. be;njamin e;. dickhaut

CHURCH AND CHAPEI,

ON EAST llilST STREET

WITH VIEWS OF MAIN

AUDITORIUM

aSTOR, LENOX AND
,lLD£N FOUNDATIONS.

reached on the evening of May 10th, and this decision
they cannot now conscientiously reconsider and reverse ;
the conditions are unchanged and the command of God
is, Forward!

How often must we learn that the stern realities of
life are to be met unflinchingly in the spirit of faith and
consecration, while feeling and sentiment must give way
to that which is practicable and expedient. When,
through the changes of time, God speaks to a church or
community, as He has so often spoken in the past, and
makes it imperative that His work shall be carried for-
ward along different lines, and that new methods be
adopted, it is the duty of the church or community to
hear and obey, however painful may be the process of
readjustment; and, furthermore, it is not only a duty,
but also a necessity placed upon all concerned to heed
the compelling force of the Divine movement.

The following statement of certain facts may serve, in
part, to reveal more clearly to the petitioners the true
situation.

Last year the low- water mark in the finances of the
First Church was reached when the congregation raised
for its own support only $.510.52 ; the expenses for main-
taining the church amounted to $9,055.93, thus making
a deficit of $8,545.41. During the last seven years, the
pew rentals of the First Church have amounted to
$7,580.85, while the cost of maintenance has been $70,-
349.20. Thus, the deficit met by the Church corporation
during these seven years has been $62,708.35. It is true
that the corporation has been able to meet this deficit of
$8,000 or $9,000 each year, but surely that fact in itself
is no reason why it should continue to meet a similar de-
ficit in the years to come under precisely tlic same condi-
tions of organized effort. A change in the character of

105

the population together with a decHne in the prosperity
of the church may suggest and warrant a re-arrangement
of its plans to reach, and save souls. With the same out-
lay, perhaps more or less if you please, the church may
be able to carry on its religious work in the same com-
munity along new and different lines, may make its
Church institutional in character. And this is exactly
what is proposed. The Consistory, as a body, has never
been more interested in the community to which the
First Church ministers than it is to-day, and its desire
is to minister to the community in the best possible way.
It is not simply a question of demolishing the old church
building because the expense of maintenance is so great,
it is a question of removing a building, that, in the provi-
dence of God, has served its purpose, and of providing
for the needs of the community in a well-equipped struc-
ture which shall suit those needs; and, furthermore, to
enable the corporation to add to its source of income, for
purjDOses of additional religious and philanthropic work.
As to appointments, etc., it has already been intimated
that the Consistory intends to provide its Chapel with
suitable and adequate equipment, and should the work
under these new conditions develop to such a consider-
able extent as to demand larger facilities, a portion of the
land on which the church now stands, and which is to be
reserved for just such a contingency, will supply the
necessary space for the enlargement of the building."

This letter closed with assurances of continued devo-
tion on the part of the Consistory to the best interests of
the church and the community, and of the most cordial
feelings of Christian fellowship. However, Classis was
importuned by those who still opposed this consistorial
action but in vain, as the Classis decided that it had no

106

^«i(((.a«!eW>K*P*-i

FIRST CHURCH BUII,DING, EAST 121ST STREEIT

AUDITORIUM OF THE FIRST CHURCH

constitutional right to interfere and that the Consistory
was capable of managing its own interests.

The old church building was taken down during the
following summer and the sum of $12,000 was expended
in remodelling the parish house and making it ready for
reopening the work in the autumn.

A great improvement in the auditorium of the Lenox
Avenue Church had been made during the summer of
1901. The wall back of the pulpit was removed, an
arch constructed, and iron pillars placed in the small
chapel to support a gallery for the organ. Extra space
was thus secured for the pulpit platform and for new
pews, both in the body of the church and in the gallery
seating 110 additional persons. The organ was removed
from the rear to the new gallery, and the whole interior
redecorated. The cost of this improvement was about
$12,000 and was met by the members of the Lenox Ave-
nue Church and congregation. The Church was rededi-
cated at its reopening on the completion of the altera-
tions, November 3rd, 1901.

After the year 1904, Dr. Elmendorf made his resi-
dence at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., having been relieved
of all active work, although still the senior minister. He
made occasional visits to the city, however, when he
would be seen in the pulj^its of both churches.

A pleasant occurrence in connection with one of these
visits was the observance of his eightieth birthday on
Sunday, March 24th, 1907. In the morning he preached
at the Lenox Avenue Church and in the evening at the
First Church. Church News, the weekly paper of the
Lenox Avenue Church, gave the following account of
the celebration in its next issue:

111

"It was a benediction to all who were fortunate enough
to be present last Sunday morning, when our revertid
senior pastor occupied our pulpit, and with all his old
time force and vigor unfolded again to us the Word of
God from the text, 'He must increase, but I must
decrease.' It is not given to many men to be capable at
eighty of such sustained mental and physical effort, and
our heartfelt prayer is that the Doctor may be spared
to us for many years to come. He carries with him into
his eightieth year the tender love and good wishes of all
who know him.

In welcoming the Doctor, Dr. Tilton read the follow-
ing minute adopted by the Consistory at its March
meeting :

"In view of the fact that our senior pastor, the Rev.
Joachim Elmendorf, D. D., will, on the 26th of March,
1907, celebrate the eightieth anniversary of his birth,
we, the Consistory of the Collegiate Reformed Church
of Harlem, extend to him our heartiest congratulations
and best wishes. In doing so, we desire once more to
place on record our high appreciation of him as a man
and a minister of Jesus Christ."

"We remember with great satisfaction the high esteem
in which he is held by the church at large ; we call to mind
the many honors, ecclesiastical and otherwise, that have
been conferred upon him, as well as the many offices he
has so worthily filled in the councils of the benevolent
and charitable organizations of the day; we recall, with
sincere gratitude, his loyal and loving service rendered
to this church for so many years ; and we trust and pray
that a kindly Providence may spare him for many years
more to guide by his counsel, to inspire by his example,
and to brighten and encourage by the purity and con-
sistency of his Christlike life and spirit."

112

The ladies of our Ladies' Aid and Dorcas Societies,
wishing to give some tangible expression of their affec-
tion, presented the Doctor with a Doctor of Divinity
hood, which he honored them by wearing.

After the service, there were distributed pamphlets
containing Dr. Ehnendorf's picture and a brief sketch
of his life that had aj^peared in the columns of the Chris-
tian IntelUgencer from the pen of ^Ir. Lyman S.
Stone, a member of our Lenox Avenue Church.

It was a little over a year after this visit, July 19th,
1908, that Dr. Elmendorf was called to his reward. A
service in memory of him was held at the Lenox Avenue
Church on the evening of Sunday, October 25th
following.

The ministers of the Harlem Collegiate Church pre-
sided, and brief addresses were given by the Rev. James
M. Taylor, D.D., president of Vassar College; the Rev.
W. H. S. Demarest, D.D., president of Rutgers Col-
lege; the Rev. John G. Gebhard, D.D., secretary Board
of Education, R. C. A. ; the Rev. Frederick J. Stanley,
D.D., L.H.D., general secretary American Sabbath
Union, and the Rev. Edward S. Ralston, pastor Sec-
ond Reformed Church, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

The minute adopted by the Consistory soon after Dr.
Elmendorf 's death was read and is as follows:

The Collegiate Reformed Church of Harlem, after
having been associated for twenty-two years with tlie
Rev. Joachim Elmendorf, D.D., who, on July 19, 1908,
entered into the new and larger life of the upper King-
dom, is called upon through its Consistory to give a final
expression of appreciation whicli may convey to the
public its just estimate of his life and character, and be
preserved in its records as a fitting testimonial to one who
through long years had proved himself pre-eminently

115

worthy of the Apostolic description — 'A Good Minister
of Jesus Christ.'

That he made full proof of his ministry in whatever
field God placed him is attested by the many tributes
evoked by his death from individuals, institutions of
learning, benevolent societies and Christian churches;
and the Consistory of the church, remembering with
gratitude his life, whether in the active service or in the
honored office of senior minister in this his last parish,
adds one more to the long list.

Men took knowledge of and were won by his conse-
crated spirituality, comprehensive intellectuality, genial,
kindly personality. The choice, dignified language
with which he habitually expressed his thought, whether
in the pulpit or out of it, together with the earnestness
and enthusiasm which characterized all his acts and ut-
terances, gave him a distinguished place as preacher and
pastor among his fellow ministers, while his affectionate
interest in and tender solicitude for all who in any way
sought his sympathy and help made him to many of the
Lord's followers, a Father in the Gospel. His presence
was always a benediction. In the assemblies of the
church and in the various philanthropic institutions
with which he was identified he ever proved himself a
wise and an able counselor.

Dr. Elmendorf was born in Rochester, Ulster Co.,
N. Y., March 26, 1827, and at the time of his death
was in the eighty-second year of his age. He was edu-
cated at Rutgers College and the New Brunswick Theo-
logical Seminary, and began his ministerial career in the
year 1853 in the Reformed church of Ithaca, N. Y. From
1855 until 1886 he served Reformed churches at Sauger-
ties, Syracuse, Albany and Poughkeepsie, N. Y., after
which he was called to the pastorate of our Collegiate

116

Church of Harlem. For thirteen years he was in active
service in the pulpit of the First Church on East 121st
Street, after which he was appointed to the honorable
position of senior minister of the Harlem parish. For
the last few years he resided at Saratoga Springs, N. Y.,
but retained the office of senior minister until his death.

Union College honored him in 1863 with the degree
of Doctor of Divinity. In 1869 he was elected a trustee
of Rutgers College and of Vassar College in 1880.
He was the president of our General Synod in 1872,
for forty-two years a member of the Board of Educa-
tion of the Reformed Church, a charter member and
manager of the American Sabbath Union.

While it is with a deep sense of loss that we remem-
ber and record his absence from us, the predominant
thought in our minds is that of a completed life,
gloriously triumphant. The fulness of the time had
come for him and he realized it. Just before he was
finally stricken down, a farewell message in his own
handwriting was found in his desk. It is appended as
a fitting conclusion to this brief minute.

117

118

The address which follows is that delivered at the
memorial service by the Rev. Dr. W. H. S. Demarest,
the president of Rutgers College:

I count it a privilege to speak of Dr. Elmendorf
from the standpoint of traditions and institutions, his
inheritance and my own. He was of the stock of the
pioneers who, by their faith, intelligence and thrift, laid
the foundations of the Empire State, of the warm,
generous and gallant blood that made the life of the
commonwealth. He was born in the country, in such a
home and amid such surroundings as have been the
cradle of so many distinguished servants of Church and
State, so many souls of rarest quality. Eighty-two
years ago, with the simplicity of the time, perhaps life
had a fairer chance to root in standards of simplicity,
straightforwardness and unselfishness than now, when
the child comes into the world and lives his tender years
so much amid complex and even morally doubtful con-
ditions.

It is not strange that, born of sucli ancestry, at the
veiy center of the traditional life, he should, when grown
to young manhood, go to the college, founded nearly a
century before by the ministers and elders of the Re-
formed Dutch Church. With the day of his entrance
upon study within its walls began a supreme attach-
ment to Rutgers College, which continued through his
life. He was a member of the class of 18.)(). Among
his classmates were Justice Richard L. I^arremore, of
the Supreme Court of Xew York; Governor George C.
Ludlow, of Xew Jersey, and such ministers of the
church as Dr. Charles I. Shepard and Dr. Edward Pay-
son Terhune. Only two of those who were graduated
with him now survive. From one of these, as from
other sources and from Dr. Elmendorf s own reminis-

119

cences and continuance of old relations, I have well
known how deep and strong must have been the cur-
rent of his undergraduate life. His fraternity was no
small part of its interest, and a few years after he named
his son after his classmate and society mate, especially
dear to him.

It may well be imagined that the ministry was in the
young man's mind when he entered college. In those
days, as now, perhaps, many young men enter college
only because they intend to enter the ministry, and
most of those who enter the ministry have chosen it be-
fore their college entrance. Then, as now, the interest
of a parish would devotedly follow the young man
leaving home for far off halls of learning, where for
many years he must prepare to preach the unsearchable
riches of Christ. So it was the quite sure thing that
one born as he was, of such mind, not given to turnings
to right hand or left, should go straight on into the
seminary of his church; and he was graduated from it,
the New Brunswick Seminary, in 1853. Then followed
that gracious life of ministerial service, extending
through fifty-five years, from the freshness and en-
thusiasm of youtli to the sweetness and solemnity of old
age — in the pulpit yet when the end of his earthly days
was not far distant.

As an alumnus he remained always a devoted son,
delighting in his Alma Mater and returning to her, un-
forgetful, as the years came and passed. The interests
of both college and seminary were his constant con-
cern, and he substantially served the welfare of each
in word and deed. It was quite natural that, when he
had shown in the church and in the world what he was,
and what he could do, when he had come to recognized
high place in the ministry of the church, the college which

120

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always maintains some Dutch Church ministers among
its trustees should make him a member of the board.
In 1869 he became a trustee of Rutgers College, and
he continued in the office until his death, through nearly
forty years. The service which he rendered in such
official capacity was genuine and unreserved. He at-
tended the meetings, gave in their deliberations wise
counsel, was a serene and optimistic overseer, and a
faithful member of important committees. In him the
officers of the college found always a prudent adviser,
a firm supporter and a generous friend. AVhen the newly-
elected president two years or more ago asked him as
an inherited and personal friend, and as the eldest
minister in the board, to make the prayer at the in-
auguration, he evinced a pleasure in accepting the com-
mission and performing the service, whicli will always be
to me a happiest personal remembrance.

In bringing Dr. Elmendorf to spoken remembrance,
we are bringing into vision not only a service, but a
life, and a character. The service was long continued,
varied and faithful. It was his, not to be ministered
unto, but to minister. He served not simply the col-
lege and the local church, but the denomination and the
church at large, the community in which he lived, and all
classes of men. IMen were moved to put him in })laces
of honor and of influence where he might do a (hstin-
guished work. But it was his life, if we may make the
distinction, that perhaps even more impressed us, the
type of manliness, of gentlemanliness, of Christianness,
that was lived in the goings out and comings in of each
day throughout the year. His was one of those lives
that seem to especially comport with that saying of the
Saviour, "Ye are the light of the world, let your light
shine; ye are the salt of the earth." The light simply

125

shines, not as by effort of its own, it is only let shine;
the salt spreads its savor, not as it were by violent and
apparent effort, simply works out its nature. So this
life that so naturally and serenely lived itself on so
high a plane and so unconsciously wrought into other
lives its beauty and its strength. So, after all, life is
the outflow of character, the fruit of character, if we
may again make distinction. In watching the life we
have seen the spirit ; in following the daily walk we have
known the man.

If I may venture to suggest in more pointed way
two or three aspects of his life and character that
seem to me to compose that in which we glory on his
behalf, I would suggest these:

His culture: the all-round capacity he possessed and
the all-round development of his varied powers; the
fine taste and high refinement of his full manhood.
His refinement was the refinement of strength, his
culture was the culture of sincerity and truth. It some-
times seems to us that the type is of the olden time, that
to-day's type of eminent manhood is a little different.
I do not know. For myself, I do feel keenly the passing
of men of this circle and of this type, lest the succession
thereof decrease or fail. It is hard for us to judge,
to compare men of our own generation with those ahead
of us. But what I mean especially is the culture which
stands in some sure contrast with the pronounced
specialism of to-day and indeed, perhaps, with a special-
ism somewhat insistent in the more eminent ministry
of to-day. Success, the high human attainment of to-
day, seems so much of the narrow sort. I do not know
that Dr. Elmendorf had a specialty. But he had a
culture, an all-round attainment and human quality,
which was more. The quality we surely admire, and

126

the usefulness contrasted even with that of the speciahst
we can not question. He was a full-grown man, and his
power was circumferent. So, as I said, even the minister
tends to the same specialistic standard. Preaching must
be his strength; then not so much the pastorate or the
reverse. Or executive ability, social service or mis-
sionary zeal, is the dominant aspect, dwarfing others.
Not so. Dr. Elmendorf. He was a minister of the old
school, scholarly, a preacher of sound doctrine, a user
of chaste, even classic, language, a patron of life's fine
things, a worker in the world-field. Somehow weighed
anywhere, measured anyhow, he was not found want-
ing.

A second thing, his personality, the nature beneath
the culture, that approved itself to men that attracted
him. I mean in special way that winsomeness, that
friendliness, that courtesy, which made him so gracious
to all in the social world, so dear to the wide, yet inner
circle of friends. We may surely say that he had a
genius for friendship. It is to my mind a great thing
in life to have such a cast of soul. So many men of the
bravest and strongest and truest are not winners of
their fellowmen's hearts. It is surely a great happiness
to a man if he can thus cast anchor in the affection and
thought of friends. It is surely a great happiness to
men who have anchored in their hearts such friendship
treasure. All the values of life, even for the wide
world about us, are not in strenuous energies and great
achievements. They are as well in the personalities
that are rich with human quality, that are radiant of
good will, that unceasingly and unconsciously give them-
selves as a satisfaction and inspiration to their fellows.
It seems to me that Christ gives to us high sanction for

127

this where he tells us to so order our common life that
we shall make friends to receive us in Heaven.

And the third thing, his sinrit : the real, vital spiritual-
ity ; the religious fervor, the Christian consecration, that
inspired and crowned the service, the life, the character.
The simplicity of his faith and the intensity of his de-
votion were all in all his beauty and his strength. All
his experience and activity centered in the life of the
Kingdom, the business of the King, the Gospel of God.
His long and distinguished service for Christ and the
church and all noble institutions, his high and varied
attainments, his charming personality, were all the life
of God's child.

128

THE NEW YORK

PUBLIC LIBRAP'^

ASTOR, LENOX AND
"ILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

NIOVINGM

1/ MARCH 26 1827
|r JUIII91908
- FOR FOURTEEN YEAl
PASTOR OF MS CHli

1886-1900 1
SENIOR PASTOR OF THE
HARIEM COLLEGIATE CHUId

1900-1908

GREATEYBELOYEDASAMAN

AND AS A MINISTER OF CHRIST

' 3''

"^' ERECTED BY THE CONSISTORY

EI.MENDORF TABI^ET, FIRST CHURCH

THE ELMENDORF MEMORIAL WINDOW
I,ENOX AVENUE CHURCH

PUBLr - ARY j

ASTOR, LEK'OX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS,

CHAPTER VIII.

Not long after the memorial service for Dr. Elmen-
dorf, the Consistory decided to erect in the First Church
a tablet to his memory, and having in mind the large
number of people who loved and revered him, they sug-
gested that a memorial window be placed in the Lenox
Avenue Church, and that the people themselves be in-
vited to express their affection for him by undertaking
the work.

This suggestion would have been carried out had
it not been that when the Consistory communicated
their intentions to Mrs. Elmendorf and her daughters,
they themselves expressed a preference and asked the
privilege of rearing such a memorial as had been sug-
gested. The result was that on Sunday morning,
November 14th, 1909, a service of an impressive char-
acter was held in the Lenox Avenue Church when the
presentation of the window, in memory of Dr. Elmen-
dorf, and its acceptance by the Consistory occurred.

The window, which is on the south side of the church,
is the gift of Dr. Elmendorf's family, and there are two
pictures in it. The part beneath the gallery is a re-
production of one of the resurrection scenes of Christ,
that recorded in John 20:11-18, and is after the inter-
pretation of the artist Plockhorst. The part im-
mediately above the gallery describes the Ascension of
Jesus as recorded in Luke 24:50-52; it is a copy of
Hoffman's famous painting, while the dove at the
highest point and the architectural features are the

133

original design of the maker of the window, Mr. Emil
Zundel, of HolHs, L. I., who has built so many beauti-
ful windows for our Reformed churches. The phrase,
"A Good Minister of Jesus Christ," appears on the base
of one of the inscription panels, while on the base of
another are inscribed the words : "They that be wise shall
shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that
turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and
ever." At the base of the center panel one may read:

In Memoriam

Rev. Joachim Elmendorf, D.D.

March 26, 1827— July 19, 1908

Ordained to the Gospel Ministry, 1853

Minister of the Harlem Collegiate Church, 1886-1908

The present minister, in accepting the window, spoke
of his personal relationship to Dr. Elmendorf, referred
to the Doctor's twenty-two years of earnest service
in the Harlem parish, fourteen years as minister in the
First Church, after which he was made senior minister,
serving in that capacity until his death, and emphasized
the fact that the worth and influence of his life as man
and minister could not be estimated. The sermon was
preached by the Rev. Edward B. Coe, D.D., LL.D.,
senior minister of the Collegiate Church of New York,
who in the course of his remarks paid Dr. Elmendorf
a warm tribute. His text was a most appropriate one
for the occasion, Acts 26:19; "I was not disobedient to
the heavenly vision."

The memorial tablet for Dr. Elmendorf, erected by
the consistory in the First Church, was unveiled with
appropriate ceremonies the evening of the same day.

134

THE MH.I,S MEMORIAI, WINDOW
I,ENOX AVENUE CHURCH

THE HAND MEMORIAl^ WINDOW
I«ENOX AVENUE CHURCH

THE KINDERGARTEN WINDOWS IN MEMORY
OF THE CHIIvDREN OF THE CHURCH

The interior of the Lenox Avenue Church has been
greatly beautified, not only by the Elmendorf window
but also by several others. On Children's Day, June
8th, 1902, two windows over the east gallery in memory
of children were unveiled. The subjects of these me-
morials reveal the child life and the child spirit as in-
terpreted by Jesus Himself.

"The Boy Jesus in the Temple," a reproduction of
Hoffman's painting, is the subject of the window in
memory of Samuel Fairchild JVIills, who was thirteen
years of age when he was called home on June 2Gth,
1900. It is a gift to the church from his parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Benjamin F. Mills.

"Christ Blessing the Children," a reproduction of
Plockhorst's painting, is the other window and is in
memory of Lillian ]\Iav Hand, who had reached the
age of fifteen when she entered into rest August 18th,
1894. This also is a gift to the church from the parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene S. Hand.

These memorials are reared by loving hearts and
hands, not as we erect a memorial to some man of rank,
some public official or one who had for years been con-
spicious for service in God's Church. Every memorial
has its own purpose, tells its own story. These monu-
ments do not stand for fame; they are the simple ex-
pression of loving parents who seek not to honor or
reward their children, or even to praise their virtues.
They are outward expressions of a tender love within,
given with the prayer that the Lord alone may be
glorified.

Other children's windows are those over the south
gallery erected recently by the Kindergarten depart-
ment of the Bible School in memory of the children of
the church, and are allegorical in character. Wlioever

139

may look upon these memorials must be impressed not
only with their beauty but also with the truth which all
human hearts love, that Jesus was once a little child and
that when He grew to manhood said: "Suffer the little
children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of
such is the Kingdom of Heaven."

The last windows placed in the church were unveiled
at the Easter services, March 27th, 1910. One is the
"Walk to Emmaus," after the interpretation of Plock-
horst. This is in memory of Charles A. Peck and was
presented by his widow. Mr. Peck had served for
several years as a deacon in the church, and was a most
faithful and efficient officer. His loss was keenly felt.

The other window represents Holman Hunt's famous
picture in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, "The Light
of the World," and is the gift of our Dorcas Society.
Although it is not a memorial window, in the accepted
sense of the term, it is after all a memorial of many
loving deeds accomplished by earnest Christian workers
in the spirit and in the name of Him who when upon
earth "went about doing good." These two windows
are on the south side of the church, beneath the gallery
and west of the Elmendorf window.

All gifts like these, in addition to serving their pri-
mary object, exert a lasting influence for good on the
general work of the Church of Jesus Christ. But large
gifts are not the only acceptable ones; indeed, no gift
is too small or insignificant for the Master's use, and
any individual who, in Christ's name, does what he can
along any line of human endeavor, is contributing that
which the Giver of all gifts will recognize as his full
share of effort.

There are many agencies connected with the church
which, through the consecrated endeavor of our men,

140

THE PECK MKMORIAI, WINDOW
I^ENOX AVENUE CHURCH

THE DORCAS WINDOW
I,ENOX AVENUE CHURCH

women and young people, are filled with a divine power ;
and these could supply abundant material for homilies
calculated to arouse and inspire. But let it he remem-
bered that this book claims to be a historical sketch and
its main purpose must not be transgressed.

After ^Ir. Dickhaut's withdrawal, it was for many
reasons decided by the Consistory not to extend a for-
mal call to another minister to preside over the First
Church, but to engage one temporarily to take charge
of its work. In accordance with this decision, there-
fore, the Rev. Arthur A. Fellstrom, formerly of New-
ark, N. J., was secured. He began his work September
1st, 1909, and is at present endeavoring to carry out the
policy outlined by the Consistory for this most difficult
field.'

The active organizations in the First Church are:

The Bible School.

Hugh, Henry, Superintendent.

Dr. E. W. Meyers, Assistant Superintendent,

Lyman X. Jones, Treasurer.

Louis Hunt, Secretary.

Edwin Herbst, Assistant Secretary.

William Schmidt, Librarian.

Irving Murray, Assistant I^ibrarian.

Mrs. Benjamin Hunt, Primary Dept. Su])t.

Christian Endeavor Society.

A. G. Schillberg, President.

Alfred T. Burri, Vice-President.

Miss Jennie Freeh, Treasurer.

Miss Ida Lemmon, Secretary.

Miss Madeline Freeh, Corresponding Secretary.

Miss Louise Bowen, Supt. Junior Department.

143

Ladies" Aid Society.

Mrs. E. T. Hoag, President.

Mrs. Frank Meeker, Treasurer.

King's Daughters" Circle.

Miss E. J. Haendle, President.

Mrs. E. T. Hoag, Vice-President.

Miss Susie Boutwell, Secretary.

Girls" Collegiate Club.

Miss Jennie Freeh, President.

Miss Ida Lemmon, Vice-President.

Miss Helen Stewart, Secretary.

Miss Grace McClurg, Treasurer.

The Club conducts a gymnasium class which is in
charge of Miss Ida Lemmon and JNIiss Isabella Hunt.

Boys" Club.
Mr. Edwin Herbst, Su23erintendent.

The choir and gymnasium class are in charge of Pro-
fessor John G. Williams.

Men"s Brotherhood.

Charles A. Conner, President.

Dr. E. W. Meyers, Vice-President.

George J. Heidt, Secretary.

Conrad Herbst, Treasurer.

There is a weekly Kindergarten Class in charge of
the Jennie Hunter Alumnae Association.

144

There is an organization in the Lenox Avenue
Church which is unique for its age if for nothing else.
It is the men's organization and is known as the Col-
legiate Club of New York. Statistics show that the
average age of a men's church club is about three years.
The Collegiate Club is in its sixteenth year, having been
organized in 1895 w^ith a membership of less than one
hundred.

The object of the Club is to promote friendly social
relations among members; their intellectual improve-
ment; the development of correct views on the social
and economical questions of the day, and the aggrega-
tion of personal influence in stimulating the intellectual,
moral and religious life of the community.

In the face of many changing conditions in the com-
munity, particularly in the last few years, it has steadily
grown stronger, more active, more attractive and useful
each succeeding year, numbering at this time nearly two
hundred members. As an institution of this church its
value and influence cannot be overestimated. Organized
for the purpose of promoting friendly social relations,
and its membership not being restricted to men who are
members of or attend this church, it has attracted repre-
sentative men from all over the city, who are adding
their support in carrying out one of the main objects
of the Club — the stimulation of the intellectual, moral
and rehgious life of this community. Such a body of
men, banded together for one common purpose, must,
in the very nature of things, be a power for good. The
fame of the Club extends beyond this community and
city, even beyond the borders of our State, and many
clubs of like character have been organized along the
same lines after the pattern of the Collegiate Club.

145

The annual seasons of the Chib cover the period from
November to April, regular meetings being held on
the second Monday evening in November and the first
Monday evenings in December, January, February,
March and April. The November meeting opens the
season with the annual dinner, and the close in April is
the occasion of the annual meeting for the election (rf
officers and "Ladies' Night." These meetings are of
special interest and particularly attractive programs
are provided. A new and attractive feature recently
inaugurated is known as "JNIembers' Night," which is
celebrated at the January meeting. On this occasion
members of the Club are selected by a special committee
in charge to supply the talent for the entertainment,
and the new departure has developed an enormous
amount of musical, literary and dramatic ability that
has lain dormant these many years.

The development of correct views on the social and
economical questions of the day is accomplished by
bringing before the Club at its meetings eminent
speakers, men of rare attainments. Among the dis-
tinguished speakers who have addressed the Club since
its organization may be mentioned : —

Key. C. p. Fagnani, D.D.
Prof. T. C. Maetin
Hon. Frank Moss
Eev. a. F. Schauffler, D.D.
Hon. Wm. Shearer
Hon. Elliott Danforth
Eev. D. S. Mackay, D.D.
CoL. Alexander S. Bacon
Austin Scott, LL.D.
Booker T. Washington
Rev. James I. Vance, D.D.
CoL. Robert Grier Monroe

Hon. M. Linn Bruce
Rev. Howard Duffield, D.D.
Mr. Homer Davenport
Hon. Wm. Jay Schieffelin
Major-Gen. O. O. Howard
Col. John J. McCook
Judge Chas. S. Whitman
Rev. W. I. Chamberlain, D.D.
Hon. John L. Tomlinson
Rev. David J. Burrell, D.D.
Rev. S. Parkes Cadman, D.D.
Hon. William J. Gaynor

146

The management of the Club is vested in a Board of
Governors consisting of the officers and fifteen members.

George H. Taylor, Preside?it
William M. Rosendale, Vice-President
William T. Demarest, Secretary
Charles M. Mapes, Treasurer

BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Rev. Edgar Tilton, Jr., D.D.

Louis F. Blauvelt
S. P. Carmichael
Robert E. Christie
Geo. Warren Dunn
William G. Gaston
Dr. William C. Hands
Frank M. Lahm

W. F. MONTROSS

A. D. Rockwell, Jr.
A. Frank Shaw
Joseph Stevenson
Lyman S. Stone
Jajies D. Shipman
Walter P. Silleck

147

CHAPTER IX.

The present minister completed his tenth year of serv-
ice with the Lenox avenue congregation February 1st,
1910, and his twelfth year in the Harlem Church, Sep-
tember 1st, 1910. The former date he observed by
preaching an anniversary sermon, a part of which is here
repeated since it sets forth the present status of the
church, its recent growth and development, the condi-
tions which confront it to-day, and deals with a general
policy which, it is believed, should be followed in the new
era that is dawning. He spoke in part as follows :

"In the first sermon I preached as your minister,
choosing for the text the words of the Apostle Peter to
Cornelius, 'I ask, therefore, for what intent ye have
sent for me,' I stated: 'You have sent for me with the
intent that people in this community may be converted
and saved; with the intent that the truths of the Bible
may be faithfully expounded; with the intent that you
all, individually, may be incited to Christian effort.'
These worthy motives, among others, we included in our
platform of unity and fraternity. Conscious of diffi-
culties, duties, needs, opportunities, privileges, all press-
ing upon us from many quarters, we faced a new situa-
tion; we joined hearts and hands as we together stood
at the entrance of a new way, and we together sang, as
we claimed for our own God's precious promises:

'Take my life and let it be " 'Take my love^ my God, I pour

Consecrated Lord, to Thee. At Thy feet its treasure store;

Take my hands and let them move Take myself, and I will be

At the impulse of Thy love. Ever, only, all for Thee.'

148

REV. EDGAR TIIvTON, JR., D. D.

"I believe that the degree of success which has at-
tended our labors together here is due in a large measure
to a strict endeavor to adhere to high ideals in religious
life and worship. As I give expression to some of these,
you will at once recognize the course of administration
that has been followed, and that in future will continue
to merit the appreciation and conmiendation of the
thoughtful.

"We have aimed to impress the people with the fact
that our church is the House of God, and that the wor-
ship most acceptable to Him is that which is intelligent
and beautiful. To this end we have sought to enrich the
service, making it devotional in character, and to avoid
in both sermon and song what might be regarded as
sensational, eschewing all methods that tend to secu-
larize.

"We have aimed to make our church reallv and trulv a
Church Home for every worshipper. To this end we
have commended constantly the cultivation of a cordial
spirit of Christian fellowship, and have welcomed gladly
the stranger, so that he might realize that we are 'given
to hospitality.'

"We have aimed to make the work of our church
missionary in character by our recognition of two special
commands of the Master; that one relating to the feed-
ing of the hungry, the clothing of the naked (witness
the work of our women's organizations), and that otlicr
relating to the all-inclusive words, 'Go ye into all the
world and preach the Gospel unto every creature' (our
own missionaries at home and abroad so testifying) .

"We have pressed upon the attention of every member
the thought of loyalty to Christ. That has meant the
enlightenment of mind and conscience and the strength-
ening of the heart by Bible study and prayer; faithful-

ness in attendance at the Sabbath and mid-week services,
contributing regularly, generously, cheerfully toward
the support of the church and all its benevolences, and
by word and example and earnest study the promotion of
the purity, peace and prosperity of the church.

"Not least among our endeavors these past years
may be mentioned that of extending our fellowship to
other bodies having aims kindred to our own. We have
representatives in such organizations as the Young
Men's and Young Women's Christian Associations, the
New York City Mission, the Charity Organization So-
ciety, the Silver Cross Day Nursery and the Stony Wold
Auxiliaries. Tims have we stood ready to co-operate
and make possible the growth and enlargement of the
church's power and influence.

"We have tried to be recognized as a united people,
a body of believers warmed and inspired by the throb-
bing life of the Divine Heart, and we have tried to carry
the warmth of our fellowship out into the world, re-
membering Him 'Who went about doing good.'

"Now to what extent have our labors been rewarded,
our prayers answered and our hopes of ten years ago
realized ?

"An examination of our church record discloses the
following facts: During this period we have received
into membership 775 persons; 299 came on confession
of Christ, and 476 on certificate from other churches.
In all this time no communion season has passed with-
out the addition of some to our membership. During
the ten years we have lost but 108 members through
death, and of the 287 dismissed to other churches, many
of them for years had been on our absent list. Our
membership roll, carefully revised up to date, now num-
bers 800.

152

;-.-/*4,*— — ..

"With regard to our finances: — During the last ten
years, this church has raised upwards of $200,000 — or
to be exact, $191,881. Of this amount, that of $94,881
is the sum collected from pew rentals, $12,000 for
the alteration of our church auditorium in the year 1901,
making in all for congregational purposes, $100,881.
The remainder, $85,000, represents the benevolent con-
tributions that have been received through Church col-
lections and through the work of our various organiza-
tions.

"Thus have we been enabled to send substantial gifts
not only to all of our denominational boards, but also
to outside benevolent and philanthrojjic institutions, like
the City Mission, the City Hospitals,* the Vouiig Glen's
and Young Women's Christian Associations, the Ameri-
can Bible and Tract Societies, the Silver Cross Day
Nursery and Stony Wold institutions. And, further-
more have we been enabled to assume support of two
missionaries of our own — ]Miss Jennie A. Scardefield in
Arabia and the Rev. Frank Hall Wright in Oklahoma.

"In view of all this, it must be realized how the loyalty
and devotion of the people to the blaster have made
possible the successful operation of the Church's activi-
ties; how working together in harmony, co-operation
throughout these years has made possible a contiiuied
prosperity. We have recognized the elements of ])ower
for the advancement of the church as set forth in the
Scriptures when the church was first instituted.

"And yet these condensed statements can give no
adequate idea of the spiritual influences felt and exerted
in prayer aiid conference and work. How nuicli is

*The $5,000 endowment for a bed in p.-rp. tiiily in the
Presbyterian Hospital has just been completed.

153

comprehended in these statements of what we do not
dream, and how far-reaching is the work which, in part,
is thus declared! Not until the books are opened at
the judgment may we understand these things.

"It is true discouragements have not been lacking. I
recall many a sorrowful day when duty summoned me
to the house of mourning. It would be stirring up feel-
ings too tender were I to mention the names of dear
ones who have gone before us. I, therefore, simply bless
God that it has been my privilege during all this time
to preach to you the resurrection hope. 'If we believe
that Jesus died and arose again, even so them also who
sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.' 'Weeping may
endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning.'
Other losses have been felt through the removal of mem-
bers to distant towns or cities. The appearance in our
community of a certain foreign element of population,
possessing views out of sympathy with our religion has
not been at all reassuring; yet notwithstanding these
facts, we are able to thank God and press on, remem-
bering that the work of the church is His work and
cannot fail.

"The rapid changes that are taking place in the com-
munity are calling loudly for a continual readjustment
of our methods of work to meet new conditions; and of
this we must ever take cognizance. We must 'know the
times;' we must recognize the opportunity. There was
once a city that failed to seize its opportunity. 'Jerusalem
knew not the time of her visitation.' The result is well
known. History tells the story. The new needs and
new opportunities that are continually thrusting them-
selves upon the attention of the church must be wisely
and aggressively met. May God help us to recognize
them in the work of the Church in this community, and'

154

may He give us the power and the broad vision to meet
them with an aggressive faith."

The thought of individual responsibihty was then
treated to this effect; that in his own place and to the
extent of his own power, every member, even the hum-
blest is responsible for the life, activity, prosperity,
spirituality and efficiency of the church to which he be-
longs. The life of a church is but the life of all its
individual members mingling together in one stream.
The zeal of the church is simply the zeal of all its mem-
bers fused and blended together. The devotion of a
church is a hundred or a few hundred coals glowing
upon one altar. The good works of a church are the
good works of all its members combined.

These points were illustrated and developed, and the
concluding word was an exhortation to faithfulness on
the part of every individual member of the church.

The writer cannot allow this opportunity to })ass
without expressing his gratitude to God for the privilege
of being associated with a body of Christians whose loyal-
ty and devotion to the Master have made possible tlie
successful operation of the Church's activities. Indeed,
he is bound to rejoice and give thanks for the oppor-
tunity of co-operating with an aggressive peoj)le who
have been instrumental in wonderfully (piickening the
Church's power and enlarging its influence, not only
in the immediate neighborhood, })ut also tliroughout
the denomination and, to no inconsiderable degree,
the Church at large.

He wishes it were possible to single out individuals,
mentioning them by name, both men and women, those
who in the past have worked side by side with him and

155

those who are doing so to-day, and describe the eminent
character of their services. But the reasons for such
omission at this period of the Church's history must
be obvious to all. However, he cannot refrain from re-
ferring to the severance of a tie which occurred in the
Spring of the present year through the resignation of
Mrs. Daniel B. Van Houten, our church visitor for
thirteen years, and a teacher in the Bible School for al-
most twenty-five years. The members of the Consistory
gave tangible evidence of their appreciation of the serv-
ices rendered by her not only to our church, but in every
incident of religious and charitable duty and loyalty
to the denomination ; and the officers and teachers of the
Bible School placed on their records the following
minute :

"The Teachers' Association of the Bible School desires
to place on record a minute in regard to the services of
Mrs. D. B. Van Houten, who, twenty-four years ago,
entered the school as a teacher, and is now laying down
this work because of removal from the city.

"Her retirement from the school after this long period
of service calls for some expression of appreciation. No
teacher has ever been more faithful and efficient than she,
and the attachment of her various classes to her, per-
sonally, as well as their interest in her teaching of the
lessons, so plainly evidenced by their regularity in at-
tendance and enthusiastic participation in every concern
of the school, gives proof of the great value of her work,
and, furthermore, tells of the loss which the school suf-
fers by her withdrawal from it.

"Not only has she served the school as teacher, but her
official position during the last thirteen years as Pastor's
Assistant and Church Visitor, has given opportunity

156

for service in the homes of the scholars, the vakie of
which can never be fully estimated.

"It would be impossible through this brief minute to
fully express all we know and feel concerning the force
and influence of Mrs. Van Houten's life and work
among us. We part with her with the deepest regret,
with the sense of loss felt over her going, and with the
earnest prayer that the blessing of God may ever attend
her."

Mrs. Van Houten's office has been filled by Miss
Elizabeth Kemlo, formerly of New Brunswick, Xew
Jersey.

Following are the active organizations connected with
the Lenox avenue Church:

The Bible School.

Rev. Charles L. Clist, Superintendent pro tem.

Louis F. Blauvelt, Associate Supt. and Treas.

Frank IM. Lahm, President, Teachers' Assoc.

Harry V. Babcock, Secretary.

Howard R. Lay, Associate Secretary.

Frank J. Smith, Associate Secretary.

Cyril S. Snider, Associate Secretary.

Clark S. Shipman, Librarian.

Clarence Cornev, Librarian.

William H. Gardner, Librarian.

JUNIOR DEPARTMENT.

Mrs. Joseph Stevenson, Superintendent.
Miss Richarda Van Sant-

voord. Secretary.

PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.

Miss Laura H. Lay, Superintendent.

Miss Helen L. Lay, Secretary.

Miss Mabel E. ^lontross.

157

KINDERGARTEN DEPARTMENT.

Miss Emily R. Van Cott, Superintendent.
Miss Mary C. Gaines.
Miss May Hands.
Miss Marie L. Furber.
Miss Alice H. Robertson.

Christian Endeavor Society.
Charles E. Rice, President.

George B. Somerville, Vice-President.

Charles R. McCulloch, Treasurer.
Miss Rachel C. Kortright, Recording Secretary.
Miss Helen L. Kenyon, Corresponding Secretary

Meets Sundays, 7 P. M.

intermediate department.

Miss Grace A. Weis, President.

Mr. E. Wiley Taylor, Vice-President.

Miss Lillian V. Eddowes, Secretary,

Milton S. Yost, Treasurer.

Cyril S. Snider, Superintendent.

Miss Marguerite L. Senior, Associate Superintendent.

Meets Sundays, 10 A. M.
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT.

Miss Alice L. Miller, Superintendent.

Miss Evelyn L. Miller, Associate Superintendent.

Meets Sundays, 10 A. M.

Women's Missionary Society.
Mrs. Thomas Vaughn, President.

Mrs. William F. Freeman, Vice-President.
Mrs. James D. Shipman, Secretary.
Mrs. Frank M. Lahm, Treasurer.

Meets first Wednesday of each month, 2.30 P. M.

158

Ladies' Aid Society.
Mrs. J. DeWitt Krebs, President.
Mrs. H. Griswold, Vice-President.

Mrs. Clarence Corney, Secretary.

Mrs. William G. Gaston, Treasurer.

Meets Tuesdays, 10 A. M.

Dorcas Society.
Miss Emma W. Bull, President.

Mrs. Leo L. Redding, First Vice-President.
Mrs. Edward S. Long, Second Vice-President.
]Mrs. James C. Picken, Secretary.
Mrs. Peter S. Gettell, Treasurer.

Meets Tuesdays, 2.30 P. M.

The Fortnightly Club.

Mrs. Wm. T. Demarest, President.
Miss Carrie L. Shutes, Secretary.

Miss Grace L. Patrie, Treasurer.

Meets first and third Tuesdays, 8 P. M.

The Girls' Guild.

Miss Marie F. Redding, President.
Miss Grace W. Vanderbilt, Vice-President.
Miss Estelle K. Bertine, Secretary.
Miss Louise A. Pfluger, Treasurer.

Meets second Wednesday of each month, 3.30 P. M.

The Collegiate Club.

George H. Taylor, President.

William M. Rosendale, Vice-President.

William T. Demarest, Secretary.

Charles M. Mapes, Treasurer.

Meetings: Second Monday in November; first Monday
each month from December to April inclusive.

159

Frank Hall Wright Fund Committee.
Benjamin G. Talbert, Abraham Amerman,

James D. Shipman, Treasurer.

The Church Choir.

Frank J. Smith, Organist and Choirmaster.

Mrs. Edith C. Goold, Soprano.

Miss Corinne Welch, Contralto.

John Young, Tenor.

La Rue R. Boals, Basso.

The church supports the following missionaries on
the field:

Rev. Frank Hall Wright, Oklahoma.
Miss Jennie A. Scardefield, Arabia.

160

CHAPTER X.

In the Spring of 1909, the Consistory decided to ob-
serve the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the
founding of the Church. Tlie following Autumn a ten-
tative schedule of services and meetings was arranged,
the details of which were carefully worked out with the
result that these anniversary services were held from
November 13th to the 21st inclusive, of the })resent year.
In planning for the celebration the Consistory felt
that the occasion would be incomplete if the people of
the church were to have no opportunity of expressing
in a tangible way their thankfulness for the Divine
Guidance which has led the Harlem Churcli throuiili
all its years of service. It was therefore decided to in-
clude in the plans a thank offering to tlie Lord to he
made by the people on Sunday, November 2()tli, the day
of the Anniversary Communion Service; and that tlic
amount received should be invested in a sectional church
building to be used in establishing new churches. 1 1 was
felt that there could be no more appropriate way of ex-
pressing gratitude than by aiding in the extension of
Christ's Kingdom here in our own land wliere our own
church has been for so many years established. The
amount asked for was two thousand dollars.

On the following page may be seen a copy of the en-
graved invitation, bearing at its head the corporate seal
of the church in gold, which was extended by the Con-

161

sistory to certain ecclesiastical bodies, educational institu-
tions, patriotic societies, governmental officials and the
clergy of neighboring churches. Many replies of a con-
gratulatory nature were received.

~^oC/€^€a/€yf,yu^or/n€€C^ '^^ciy<::A^J^.yfar/em/

xx^>^c<z//u^^yti'ift/&'

.■Cryn>

Our General Synod was represented at one of the
services by its president, Rev. James I. Vance, D. D.,
and our Parent Synod in Holland sent the following
letter :

162

ALGEMEENE SYNODALE COMMISSIE

det

Nederlandschc Hervormde Kerk.

No. 915.

'sGRAVENHAGE, the 25th of November, J9I0.

Dear Brethren: —

The Reformed Dutch Church Synod was highly
pleased at the cordial invitation of the INIinister, Elders
and Deacons of the Reformed Low Dutch Church of
Harlem to be present at the services and meetings held
in celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniver-
sary of the founding of the Church, and the President
much regrets that he was prevented from coming.

The Synod feels the old relation with the Church of
Harlem and rejoices at her welfare. She gratulates
the jubilant Church with the word: "Grace and peace
be multiplied to you !"

With fraternal feeling,
The Reformed Dutch Church Synod,

W. Ellend, President.

The Anniversary Programme whicli is here re[)rinted
was enclosed in a beautiful cover which had in colors on
its title page the emblem of the Reformed Church in
America.

163

PROGRAMME

Sunday, November 13th, 1910

At the Lenox Avenue Church

Morning Service — 11 o'clock.

Historical Address by the Pastor, Rev. Dr. Edgar
Tilton, Jr.

An Illustrated Volume containing the History of the Church is now
in preparation and will shortly he published. Information re-
garding it may be obtained from any member of the Consistory.

Sunday School Reunion — 3 p. ni.

Addresses by former Superintendents

Mr. H. H. Uhler Mr. Robert Martin

Mr. W. P. Uhler Mr. Frank A. Ferris

Musical Service — 8 p. m.

With Quartette and Chorus Choir —

Mrs. Edith Chapman Goold, Soprano Mr. John Young, Tenor
Miss Corinne Welch, Contralto Mr. La Rue R. Boats, Bass

Mr. Frank J. Smith, Org inist and Director

164

1. "A Prayer of Thanksgiving"

An ancient folk-song of the Netherlands— A. D. 1<)26

2. Offertory "Saviour Thy Children Keep" SulU^an

3. Cantata "A Song of Thanksgiving" Maunder

No. 1. "O Come, Let Us Sing"

Chorus — O Come, Let Us Sing

Duet {Sopra.no and Tenor) — The ej-es of all wait upon Thee

Chorus — Before the mountains were brought forth

No. 2. "Great Is The Lord"

Solo (Soprano) — When o'er the trees of Eden
Chorus ( Tenors and Basses)— GresLi is the Lord
Chorus {Sopranos) — The streamlet raised its gentle voice
Chorus — Great is the Lord

No. 3. "The Promise"

Solo ( Tenor) — Thus saith the Lord
Trio — While the earth remaineth

No. 4. "The Fulfilment"

Recit. and Air — Consider the lilies

Solo {Soprano)— O lovely flowers, blest messengers divine

Duet {Soprano and Tenor) — The blushing fruits appear at

His command
Chorus — For ever, O Lord, Thy word endureth

No. 5. "Let All The People Praise Thee"

Solo (Tenor)— O Thou, Whose constant mercies
Chorus (tvith Bass 5o/o)— Let all the people praise Thee
Hymn {Choir and Congregation)— AU people that on earth
do dwell

At the First Church

Sunday School Reunion — 9.45 a. in.

Addresses by former Superintendents

Morning Service — 11 o'clock.

Sermon by the former Pastor, Rev. Benjamin K.
Dickhaut

Historical Service — 8 p. m.

Address by Rev. Dr. Edgar Tilton, Jr.

165

Monday, November 14th, 1910

At the Lenox Avenue Church

Greetings from Contemporary Reformed Churches —

8 p. m.

Addresses by —

Rev. Dr. Edward B. Coe

Senior Minister of the Collegiate Church of N. Y, ( i628)

Rev. Dr. James S. Kittell

Pastor of the First Church of Albany, N. Y. {1642)

Rev. Dr. John E. Lloyd

Pastor of the Flatbush Church {1654)

Rev. John S. Gardner

Pastor of the Flatlands Church ( 1654)

Rev. Dr. Cornelius Brett

Pastor of the Bergen Church {Jb60)

Rev. Dr. James M. Farrar

Pastor of the First Brooklyn Church { 1660)

Tuesday, November 15th, 1910

At the Lenox Avenue Church

Meeting for the Women of the Church — 2.30 p. m.

Addresses by —

Rev. Dr. A. F. Schaiiffler

of the Nenv York City Mission

Miss Cornelia Anderson

of the Women's Board of Domestic Missions

Miss Gertrude Dodd

of the Woman's Board of Foreign Missions

Readings by Mrs. Minnie Marshall Smith
166

Young People's Meeting — 8 p. m.

Addresses by —

Rev. Dr. W. H. S. Demarest

President of Rutgers College, Ne-w Bruns'wick, N. ].

Dr. Gerrit J. Kollen

President of Hope College, Holland, Michigan

Mr. Harry A. Kinports

Secretary for Young People's Work, Reformed Church
in America

Followed by Social Hour

At the First Church

Meeting for the Women of the Church — 2.30 p. m.
Social Hour

Wednesday, November 16th, 1910

At the Lenox Avenue Church
Preparatory Service — 8 p. in.

Address by Rev. Dr. Edgar Tilton, Jr.
Followed by Social Hour

At the First Church

Preparatory Service — S p. ni.

Address by Rev. Arthur A. Kcllstrom
Followed by Social Hour

167

Thursday, November 17th, 1910

At the Lenox Avenue Church

Greetings from Neighboring Churches — 8 p.m.

Brief Addresses by —

Bishop Morris W. Liebert
of the Moravian Church

Rev. Dr. George R. Vandewater

Rector of St. Andre'w's Episcopal Church

Rev. Dr. Charles J. Young

Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of the Puritans

Rev. Dr. Duncan J. McMillan

Pastor of the Nenv York Presbyterian Church

Rev. Dr. Allan MacRossie

Pastor of St. James' Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. Harry P. Nichols

Rector of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

Rev. Dr. Frederick J. Lynch

Pastor of Pilgrim Congregational Church

Rev. Dr. Charles J. Goodell

Pastor of Calvary Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. J. Lyon Caughey

Pastor of the Harlem Presbyterian Church

Rev. Dr. J. Herman Randall

Pastor of the Mount Morris Baptist Church

Rev. F. H. Bosch

Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church

168

Friday, November 18th, 1910

At the Lenox Avenue Church

Popular Meeting— 8 p. m.

"THE REFORMED CHURCH IN 1910"

Addresses by —

Rev. Dr. John G. Gebhard

Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Education
Reformed Church in America.

Rev. John Brownlee Voorhees

Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Domestic Mis-
sions, Reformed Church in America

Rev. Dr. William I. Chamberlain

Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Foreign Mis-
siors, Rzformed Church in America

Rev. Dr. James I. Vance

President of the General Synod of the Reformed Church
in America

169

Sunday, November 20th, 1910

"THANK OFFERING DAY"

At the Lenox Avenue Church

Anniversary Communion — 11 a. m.

Musical Service — 8 p. m.

The Choir will repeat the Cantata "A Song of Thanks-
giving"

As rendered on the evening of Sunday, November J 3th.

At the First Church

Anniversary Communion — 11 a. m.
Reunion Service — 8 p. m.

Sermon by Rev. Edward S. Ralston

Monday, November 21st, 1910

At the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel

Banquet under the auspices of the Collegiate Club —

6.30 p. m.

Addresses by —

Hon. William J. Gay nor
Mayor of Ne<TV York

Hon. A. T. Clearwater

President of the Holla.nd Society

Rev. Dr. David J. Burrell

Minister of the Marble Collegiate Church

Hon. J. R. Planten

Consul-General of the Netherlands

And others

170

That the services and meetings outhned on the pre-
ceding pages were worthily planned, and that the plans
materialized in results most satisfactory to all concerned
was the general consensus of opinion. The whole cele-
bration was a truly splendid and impressive occasion.

We take pleasure in clipping press accounts of the
Anniversary from the columns of the Christian Intel-
ligencer and The New York Tribune.

From the issue of the Christian Intelligencer, Novem-
ber 30th, 1910.

Quarter Millenial ^inniversary of the Ilarlon Church.

This anniversary began on Sunday, the l.'Jth inst.,
with services in both churches, which were l)eautifully
decorated. The old Dutch flags emblematic of our an-
cestry, the Stars and Stripes, significant of preservation
in the past and continued protection in the future, and
the glowing figures, 1660 and 1910, bla/ing forth from
the pulpit of the Lenox avenue Church, which was
flanked with palms, the presence of the old bell cast in
Holland in 1734 especially for the old Dutch Church
of Harlem — all being so suggestive of a gala time re-
sulting from a glorious history, added to tlie impressive-
ness of the services.

Dr. Tilton gave a historical address at tlie Lenox
avenue Church in the morning, which he repeated at the
First Church in the evening. This address will he in-
corporated in a historical volume wliich will soon i)e
issued. Both Sunday Schools held reum'ons which were
addressed })y former sui)erintendents, and at the Lenox
avenue Church in the evening a sacred cantata, A Song
of Thanksgiving," was rendered by the church (juartet
assisted by a large chorus. All the union services were
held in the Lenox avenue Church.

173

The names of the speakers for Monday evening alone
go to show that the program for that evening was
unique. It is most exceptional to be able to hear the
same evening words of greeting from six contemporary
sister churches. The speakers were the Rev. Dr. Coe
of the Collegiate Church, Dr. Kittell of Albany, the
twins, Dr. Lloyd and the Rev. John Gardner, both of
1654; Dr. Brett of Bergen and Dr. Farrar of Brooklyn,
who come from twin sister churches of 1660, which,
with the Harlem church, were called by Dr. Brett "the
three twins."

Tuesday afternoon, meetings for the women were
held, and the young people had their celebration at
night. Addresses were delivered by President Dem-
arest of Rutgers College and Mr. H. A. Kinports, sec-
retary of the young people's work of our Church. A
social hour followed.

All must have been impressed by the size of the con-
gregation which gathered in the Lenox avenue Chapel
on Wednesday evening for the preparatory lecture.
Dr. Tilton lifted our thoughts from pride in the past
to future activity, his remarks centering in the inspir-
ing words, "looking unto Jesus." At the close of the
service there was a season of hospitality. A similar
service was held in the First Church.

Thursday evening greetings were received from about
a dozen neighboring ministers, while Friday evening
was all that had been anticipated, with such speakers
as the president of our General Synod, Dr. Vance. Dr.
Gebhard of the Board of Education and Drs. Chamber-
lain and Voorhees of our Missionary Boards.

The religious services were fittingly brought to a
close by the communion service Sunday morning, the
20th, when fifty-three new members were received; at

174

the Lenox avenue Church, twenty-two on confession
and five on certificate; at the First Church, twenty-one
on confession and five on certificate. A special feature
of the service was the thank offering,* which resulted
in the raising of $2,000 for the purchase of a sectional
church to be used in Church Extension work.

The final event was a banquet at the Waldorf-Astoria
Hotel on the evening of the 21st. It was managed by
the Collegiate Club, the men's organization of the Lenox
avenue Church. Almost four hundred guests were pre-
sent, and the speakers included the Hon. William J.
Gavnor, the Mavor of our city; Hon. J. R. Plantcn,
Consul-General of the Netherlands; Hon. A. T. Clear-
water, president of the Holland Society; President-
General Marble, of the Sons of the American Revolu-
tion, and the Rev. Drs. David J. Hui-rell, S. Parkes
Cadman and James S. Kittell.

From the issue of The New York Tribune, Novem-
ber 22nd, 1910.

Mayor Gaynor delivered his own speech at a public
dinner last night for the first time since the attempt on
his life last summer. Pie addressed tbe four or five
hundred members of the Collegiate Club of Xcw Ynvk,
who held their annual dinner in the grand ballroom nl'
the Waldorf, in commemoration of the 2.)0th anni versa n-
of the Collegiate Reformed Church of Harlem. 'IMic
gathering was made up mostly of cluircb j)ef)plc from
Harlem, affiliated witli tbe Dutcb Reformed Cluircb.
and manv ministers of tbat denomination were preserd.

^Mention should here he made of a Ixaiit i ful |iiilj)it Hil)lr l«)
be used in the pulpit of the seetional clnirdi. It was th.- pft ,,f
some unknown friend, and caiiif throiiffli tlit Aim ricaii Bihlr .Society.

177

The Mayor surprised his audience with the strength
of his voice, and had httle difficulty in making himself
heard in all parts of the ballroom. He told the min-
isters and numerous women present that it was refresh-
ing to attend a dinner where there was no tobacco
smoke to smart his eyes, and none of the "usual acces-
sories," which he did not mention. The Mayor also
spoke of the "yellow newspajjers that made more noise
than all the rest of the papers put together, but are of
little account."

They all gave the Mayor an enthusiastic reception
when George H. Taylor, president of the club, who
acted as toastmaster, introduced him as a man whose
administration of the office to which he had been elected
commanded the admiration and respect of every fair
minded man, regardless of his party affiliations.

"When I accepted the invitation to come here," said
Mayor Ga^'^nor, "I thought I would be able to do my
share of the talking, as I generally do when I go to a
dinner, but I fear I will have trouble in making myself
heard in a room so large as this. If I am not altogether
mistaken the Dutch Reformed Church was one of the
first established in this part of the world, but I cannot
speak by the book in regard to this. At any rate, it
shows that we are growing quite old in this country.
Your denomination is getting to be a very large one,
not only here, but all over the country. You have
churches in sections now where formerly the people
never saw a Dutchman.

■'Everything good in this world is of slow growth.
Things that are done in a hin-ry are badly done. P^ivery-
thing of good comes to a maturity by slow degrees. You
mustn't be discouraged if we can't do everything at
once.

178

"I know some ministers who expect the jNIayor to re-
form the city in a minute. We have made progress,
but the trouble is you want us to do everythiii<)\ atid
leave nothing for the generations to come.

"Although the 'yellows' make more noise than the
rest of the papers put together, they are of little account.
They are always calling on me to right a wrong without
suggesting either tlie ways or the means to accomplish
that end. They want the gamblers put out of business
without delay, and just fall short of telling me how to
do it.

"Some of my friends would call upon me to act if they
saw a man spit upon the Brooklyn Bridge. Some would
complain that there are too many newspapers dropped
down from the elevated railroad structure. It takes time
to rectify all these wrongs. It cannot be done in a day.

"Two hundred and forty years ago, when the Dutch
gathered at a dinner, there were always schna})]is on the
table and they drank gin, and plenty of it. But it didn't
seem to hurt them, because the Dutch blood is well dis-
tributed in their veins.

"It is very refreshing to attend a dinner where there is
no tobacco smoke and the other usual accessories, which
I won't mention, but I think you will know what I mean.
Generally my eyes smart from the smoke when speaking
at a dinner.

"I want to thank your president and you all for invit-
ing me here, and it has given me great pleasure to
come."

Among the other s})eakers were J. I{. IManten, Con-
sul-General of the Xetherlands; the Rev. David .1. Bur-
rell, D.D., of the Marble Collegiate Church, the Bcv. S.
Parkes Cadman, D.D., of the Congregational Chin-ch

179

and Judge A. T. Clearwater, president of the Holland
Society.

When the orchestra in the gallery played the popular
airs the applause unfailingly demanded an encore.

Our own Church News of November 27th, 1910, con-
tained a few lines of acknowledgment which should
appear in connection with this account of our Anniver-
sary exercises; we therefore quote from our own valu-
able periodical which is published weekly, and is now
in its fourteenth year of service.

A nnivcrsary Echoes .

A word of acknowledgment is due the many good
friends by whose help our anniversary exercises were
carried through so successfully. We wish to express our
gratitude to our organist and choir, to Mr. Brown, our
sexton, to those who served on the committees, and to
all who were in any way actively engaged in forward-
ing the cause of the celebration. Special mention should
be made of Mr. William Burhans, our electrician, who
contributed his time and services gratis for the arrange-
ment of the illumination of the numbers 1660 and 1910
in the pulpit, the old bell on the platform, and the
emblem of the church, which appeared over the main
entrance doors. This emblem, together with the two
Dutch flags that were seen flying from our towers,
were a loan from the Collegiate Church of New York.

180

COXCLUSIOX.

Taking one broad look back over tlie ])asl and con-
sidering our present status, we praise God that we are
still anchored upon tliat Divine Rock whicli is the same,
yesterday, to-day and forever; that we still preach Jesus
Christ and Him crucified, the Fatherhood of God and
the brotherhood of man; that as the years have gone
by we have come to emphasize a Christianity which
is intensely social in its character, which believes m
injecting its life into civic matters, and the benevolent
deeds of wdiich are patterned after those of the Divine
Man Who, when upon earth, "went about doing good."

High ideals in worship, loyalty to Christ, missionary
zeal. Let us never fail to emphasize these elements of
power. Conservative, yet progressive, we stand for all
that is best and truest in life. And these tilings are
the pledges of our future progress toward that far off
Divine event for which the church is praying and
working.

What better concluding words than those \isvd by
the writer in his historical address on Sunday morning,
November 13th, 1910! The words of Whittier in his
Centennial Hymn :

Our Father's God from out Whose hand

The centuries fall like grains of sand,

We meet again, united, free,

And loyal to our Cliurch and Thee;

To tliank Tliee for the era done,

And trust Thee for the opening one.

181

Dr.EdgarTilton
ToResign From
Harlem Pulpit

Reformed Church Minister
Will Retire September 1,
at End of 39 Years at Post

Author of Parish History

PlanstoCatchUp on Reading
and 'Do Some Writing'

The Rev. Dr. Edgar Tilton jr.,
pactor of the Harlem Reformed
Church, East Eighty-ninth Street
and Park Avenue, since September
1, 1898, announced at the conclu-
sion of his morning service yester-
day that he would resign on the
thirty-ninth anniversary of his pas-
torate this year.

Dr. Tilton, who has been a min-
ister of the Dutch Reformed Church
for forty-eight years, intends to de-
vote part of his time to writing.
He is the author of the "History
. of the Reformed Church of Harlem,"
j which was published In 1910 when
I the church celebrated the 250th an-
! niversary of its founding.

Until the publication of this work,
many persons had assumed that the
church, which was founded in 1660,
had had a succession of ministers
from the time of its formation. But
Or, Tilton's research disclosed that
during the first 110 years of the
church the services were conducted
by "voorlesers"— lay readers— save
when the parent church, the Col-
legiate, in lower Manhattan, seni^
ministers to the then distant parish
to ordain elders and deacons and to
administer the sacraments.

To Gi

The

Twelfth Pastor of Church

The first dominie was the Rev
Marti nus Schoonmaker, who wa;
installed as pastor in 1765. Dr. Til-
ton was its twelfth pastor. His im-
mediate predecessor, the Rev. Dr
Joachim Elmendorf, was pastoi
longer than any who preceded him
twenty-two years.

Asked yesterday for his plans afte]
his retirement in September, Dr
Tilton said:

"One has to neglect many book:
worthy of reading when in charge o:
a church. So I plan to read — anc
to do some writing, also. We hav(
a place at Cold Brook, Conn., tha
we have used as a summer home
and I expect I'll spend considerabL
time there."

Dr. Tilton was born In Brooklyi
on January 12, 1865. After receivini
his Bachelor of Arts degree fron
New York University in 1886, he stud
led at the Theological Seminary o
the Dutch Reformed Church at Ne\
Brunswick, N. J., from which he wa
graduated in 1889. In 1902, Rutger
College conferred the degree of Doc
tor of Divinity upon him.

Had Charge in Queens

His first charge was Bethany Re
formed Chapel, Brooklyn, of whicl
he was pastor from 1889 to 1891. H
then went to the Reformed Churcl
of Jamaica, Queens, remaining ther
until the consistory called him t
the Old Haarlem Church, as hi
present charge was once known.

He has been a director of the Re
formed Church of America sine
1901; president of the board c
trustees, Classis of New- York, 1910
'35, and for several years was chair
man of the committee on foreigi
missions.

Dr. Tilton has served as chaplaii
of the 71st Regiment, New York Na
tional Guard, and of the Empir
State Society, Daughters of th
Revolution.

After finishing his theologica
studies, he was married to Mis
Clara Louise Skinner on June 1]
1889.

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